UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA 

DEPARTMENT  OF  CIVIL.  ENGINEERING 

BERKELEY.  CALIFORNIA 


Library 


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Engineering 
Library 


W.  &  L.  E.  GURLEY 

Established  1845 
TROY,    N.    Y.,    U.    S.    A. 

MANUFACTURERS    OF 

Engineering  and  Surveying  Instruments 

Transits  Stadia  Rods 

Levels  Leather  Cases 

Alidades  Leather  Pouches 

Plane  Tables  Hand  Levels 

Sketching  Cases  Plummets 

Compasses  Tripods 

Leveling  Rods  Chains 

Hydraulic  Engineering  Instruments 

Current  Meters 
Water  Stage  Registers 

Printing 

Graphic 

Long  Distance 
Hook  Gages 

Precision  Weights  and  Measures 

Standards  of 

Mass,  Capacity  and 
Length,  for  Sealers  and 
Manufacturers 

DEALERS  IN 

Small  Field  Equipment  and  Accessories 
Drawing  Instruments  and  Office  Supplies 

Illustrated  literature  sent  free  upon  request 


Conditions  under  which  the  Gurley  Long  Distance 
Recording  Outfit  is  to  operate 

By  sending  us  the  detailed  information  indicated  below,  you  will  enable  us 
to  advise  you  definitely  regarding  the  best  method  of  applying  Gurley  equipment 
to  your  local  conditions. 

(I)  Is  the  Sender  to  be  placed  on  a: 

Power    Reservoir  ? 

Waterworks  Reservoir  ? 

River  or  Harbor  ? 

(  2)  Will  it  be  necessary  to  protect  the  water  in  the  stilling  well  from 

freezing  ? 

(  3)  What  is  the  ordinary  range  of  water  level  to  be  recorded  ? 

(  4)  What  is  the  maximum  range  ? How  many  times  a 

year   may    it   be    expected  ? 

(    5)       What  is  the  line  distance  from  the  Sender  to  the  Recorder  ? 

If  two  or  more  Recorders  are  to  be  used,   give  the  distance  from  Sender 
to    each,    and   between    them.  , 

(    6)       Is  there  a  line  available  ? 2  or  3  wires  ? 

(    7)       What  kind  and  size  of  wire  is  it  ? 

(  8)  Are  there  telephones  on  this  line  ? . 

If  so,  how  many  ? 

Are  they  grounded  ? Are  they  connected  to  any 

telephone  switchboard  ? 

(9)       If    a    new    line    is    to    be    built,    what    size    and    kind    of    wire    will    be 

used  ? Will   2   or   3   wires  be  put  up  ? 

(three   are   more   reliable.) 

( 1  0)       Will  telephones  be  used  on  the  new  line  ? How  many  ? 

(II)  Will   the  instrument  be   operated  by: 

1  1  0   Volts  D.   C.  ? 

Storage   batteries  ? 

Dry  batteries  ? 


Signed 

'Title 

Company 

Address 

City 

State 

Mail  to  W.  &  L.  E.  Gurley,  Troy,  N.  Y. 


HYDRAULIC  ENGINEERING  INSTRUMENTS 


Cost  of  Gurley  Long  Distance  Recording  Equipment 

The  cost  of  installing  the  Gurley  Long  Distance  Recorder  depends  very 
largely  on  local  conditions  and  our  Engineering  Department  will  gladly  co- 
operate in  suggesting  how  local  problems  may  best  be  solved. 

The  prices  of  Sending  and  Recording  apparatus  are  as  follows: 

No.  638-A  Long  Distance  Recording  Outfit,  consisting  of  a  No.  638 

Sender  and  a  No.  637  Recorder $385.00 

No.  638-B  Long  Distance  Indicating  Outfit,  consisting  of  a  No.  638 

Sender  and  a  No.  639  Indicator 265.00 

No.  638-C  Long  Distance  Recording  and  Indicating  Outfit,  consisting 
of  a  No.  638  Sender,  a  No.  637  Recorder,  and  a  No.  639 
Indicator 540  .  00 

Separate  instruments  may  be  had  for  the  following  prices: 

No.  637  Recorder,  complete  with  glass  cover,  10  extra  record 

sheets,  1  bottle  of  clock  oil.  Shipping  weight  about  100  Ibs.  275.00 

No.  638  Sender,  complete  with  metal  cover,  one  lock,  one  20  inch 

float,  1  counterweight,  20  ft.  phosphor  bronze  tape,  2  guide 
pulleys,  1  bottle  of  clock  oil.  Shipping  weight  about  75  Ibs.  110-00 

No.  639  Indicator,  complete  with  glass  cover,  and  1  bottle  of  clock 

oil.  Shipping  weight  about  1  5  Ibs.  /T 155.00 

Prices  are  F.  O.  B.  Troy,  N.  Y. 

Installation  Instructions 

Detailed  instructions  for  the  proper  installation  of  the  Gurley  Long  Distance 
Recording  Outfit  will  be  sent  upon  request. 

Manual  of  Gurley  Hydraulic  Engineering  Instruments 

This  beautifully  illustrated  book  of  1 60  pages  describes  in  detail  the  con- 
struction of  our  Current  Meters,  Hook  Gage  and  Water  Stage  Registers. 

In  addition  it  contains  a  great  amount  of  useful  information  relating  to  the 
use  and  care  of  the  Current  Meter  and  the  Hook  Gage,  and  also  concerning  the 
installation  and  operation  of  Water  Stage  Registers. 

The  illustrations  have  been  selected  to  show  the  various  kinds  of  current 
meter  rating  and  gaging  stations  and  the  different  methods  of  making  current 
meter  measurements  under  various  conditions.  Also,  to  indicate  the  different 
types  of  installations  and  shelters  for  Water  Stage  Registers  and  the  many  appli- 
cations to  which  Gurley  Meters  and  Registers  are  adapted  in  connection  with 
sewers  and  sewage  disposal  plants,  irrigation,  drainage,  water  supply  and  hydro- 
electric developments,  stream  gaging,  harbor  investigation  and  similar  projects. 

A  copy  of  this  Manual  is  furnished  free  to  purchasers  of  our  Current  Meters 
and  Water  Stage  Registers.  To  others  it  will  be  supplied  for  the  nominal  price 
of  seventy-five  cents  per  copy. 

11 


Gurley  Current  Meters 

"Standard  of  the  World" 


Used  everywhere  by 
Government  and 
private  hydraulic 
engineers  for  accur- 
ate stream  flow 
measurements. 


No.  623  Universal  Pattern,  indicating 
each  revolution  ;  or  each  fifth  revolu- 
tion ;  and  suspended  by  cable,  or  by 
jointed  wading  rods. 


Principal  Advantages: 


Reliability  in  action 
Simplicity  of  design 
Rigidity  of  construction 
Adaptability 
Convenient  size 


W.  &   L.   E.   GURLEY 

Established  1845 
TROY,  N.  Y.,  U.  S.  A. 


H-305 


PANAMA-PACIFIC  INTERNATIONAL  EXPOSITION 


GRAND  PRIZE  Certificate  and  GOLD  MEDAL 
awarded  W.  &  L.  E.  Gurley  for  Hydraulic 
Engineering  Instruments  at  the  Panama  -  Pacific 
International  Exposition,  San  Francisco,  1915. 


Manual 
of 


Gurley  Hydraulic 
Engineering  Instruments 


Second  Edition 

Price,  75  Cents 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA 

DEPARTMENT  OF  CIVIL  ENGINEERING 

BERKELEY.  CALIFORNIA 


W.  &  L.  E.  GURLEY,  Makers 

Established  1845 

TROY,  N.  Y.,  U.  S.  A. 


COPYRIGHT,  1921 

BY 
W.  &  L.  E.  GURLEY 

TROY,  N.  Y.,  U.  S.  A. 


Foreword 


THE  importance  of  an  exact  knowledge  concerning  the  sur- 
face water  supply  of  the  country  has  been  recognized  for 
many  years.     The  immediate  necessity  for  stream  flow 
data,  to  be  used  by  those  interested  in  or  engaged  upon  problems 
of   hydraulic    engineering,    including   water   power,    domestic 
water  supply,  sewage  disposal,  inland  navigation,   irrigation, 
swamp  and  overflow  land  damage  and  flood  prevention,  has 
created  a  constantly  increasing  demand  for  accurate  stream  flow 
measurements. 

The  relative  importance  of  the  different  uses  of  the  surface 
water  supply  of  the  country  varies,  not  only  in  different  local- 
ities, but  also  from  time  to  time  in  the  same  section  as  industrial 
conditions  change.  These  uses  all  require  accurate  quantitative 
estimates  for  their  successful  application. 

Without  question  the  relation  of  stream  flow  records  to  the 
economic  development  of  the  country  is  one  of  continually 
increasing  interest.  The  desirability  of  investigating  its  water 
resources,  one  of  the  most  valuable  natural  assets  that  a  country 
possesses,  cannot  be  too  strongly  emphasized. 

Considering  these  facts  and  also  the  many  costly  experiences 
resulting  from  misinformation,  it  is  apparent  that  all  data  must 
be  collected  with  appropriate  equipment,  including  properly 
designed  and  well  constructed  instruments,  in  order  to  be 
accurate  and  dependable.  Inasmuch  as  it  is  usually  impossible 
to  predict  future  uses  of  stream  flow  data  at  the  time  the  records 
are  made, —  in  many  cases  most  urgent  demands  for  depend- 
able long  time  records  are  made  when  it  is  impossible  to 
produce  them, —  all  stream  gaging  work  should  progress  toward 
the  collection  of  continuous  records  of  the  highest  standard  of 


8        W.  &  L.  E.  GURLEY,  TROY,  NEW  YORK 

accuracy.  The  energies  of  some  of  the  foremost  engineers  of 
the  world  have  been  given  to  this  work,  and  as  a  result  both 
methods  and  appliances  have  been  highly  perfected. 

For  many  years  W.  &  L.  E.  Gurley  have  been  the  leaders 
in  the  manufacture  of  instruments  for  the  measurement  of 
water.  At  the  Panama  -  Pacific  International  Exposition  they 
were  given  the  highest  award  for  Hydraulic  Engineering 
Instruments. 

Every  part  of  these  instruments  is  constructed  from  carefully 
selected  material,  and  is  accurately  made  and  finely  finished 
by  experienced  workmen  in  the  Gurley  Factory,  which  has  been 
producing  precision  instruments  and  equipment  for  over 
seventy-five  years.  They  consist  of  Engineering  and  Surveying 
Instruments,  such  as  Transits,  Levels,  Compasses,  Plane  Tables, 
Alidades,  Sketching  Cases,  Leveling  Rods  and  Stadia  Rods; 
and  Standard  Precision  Weights  and  Measures. 

The  methods  commonly  used  in  carrying  on  water  measure- 
ments are  described  in  standard  text  books,  to  which  frequent 
reference  has  been  made  in  preparing  this  Manual.  We  are 
indebted  to  prominent  hydraulic  engineers  for  suggestions  and 
photographs,  and  grateful  acknowledgment  is  hereby  made  to 
these  friends  for  their  co-operation,  as  well  as  to  the  authors 
quoted  in  this  book. 

W.  &  L.  E.  GURLEY 


Contents 

PAGE 

c 

FOKEWORD      7 

PART  I. —  GURLEY  CURRENT  METERS— Their  Construction,  Care  and  Use  13 

INTRODUCTION    13 

DESCRIPTION  OF  GURLEY  CURRENT  METER  AND  EQUIPMENT 14 

1.— The  Head    14 

2.— The  Tail    17 

3. — The  Hanger  and  Weights 17 

4. — The  Recording  or  Indicating  Device 18 

5. — The  Suspending  Device  - 19 

SELECTING  THE  PROPER  TYPE  OF  CURRENT  METER 21 

ADVANTAGES  OF  GURLEY  CURRENT   METERS   28 

COMPLETE  CURRENT  METER  FIELD  OUTFIT 29 

TIME  RECORDER  OR  STOP  WATCH 30 

CARE  OF  THE  CURRENT  METER 31 

To  take  the  Meter  apart  31 

To  change  Contact  Chambers 31 

Special    Instructions    32 

RATING  THE  CURRENT  METER   34 

TYPES  OF  CURRENT  METER  MEASUREMENTS  39 

Wading   Measurements    42 

Measurements  from  Cables   44 

Measurements    from    Bridges    47 

USE  OF  THE  CURRENT  METER 48 

Soundings    48 

Velocity   Observations    49 

Recording  the  Data  52 

Low  Water  Measurements  59 

Measurements   under  Ice   59 

Measurements  in  Artificial  Channels 62 

ACCURACY  AND  RELIABILITY  OF  THE  CURRENT  METER 62 

SELECTION  AND  LOCATION  OF  GAGING  STATIONS  63 

Reconnoissance    63 

Observers    70 

Establishment  of  Stations  70 

GAGES    71 

Non-Recording  Gages 71 

Gurley  Hook  Gage 73 

Recording  Water  Stage  Registers 75 

BENCH  MARKS   75 

PART  II. —  GURLEY  AUTOMATIC  WATER   STAGE  REGISTERS  —  Their  Con- 

strutcion,  Installation  and  Operation 77 

INTRODUCTION    77 

CONDITIONS    REQUIRING    THE    USE    OF    AUTOMATIC    WATER    STAGE 

REGISTERS    78 

1. — WThere  water  is  valuable  and  exceptionally  accurate  records 

are   necessary. 78 

2. — Where  artificial  or  natural  stream  conditions  cause  sudden 

changes  in  stage  in  24  hours. 78 

3. — Where  records  are  desired  on  a  flood-water  stream  which 

is  dry  most  of  the  year. 79 

4. — Where  complete  records   are  desired  on  a  stream  which 

flows  continuously  but  is  subject  to  sudden  floods. 79 

5. — Where   it   is   necessary   to   determine  the   maximum   gage 

height  or  the  maximum  daily  mean  gage  height. 80 

6. — Where   it   is   necessary    to   determine   the   minimum    gage 

height  or  the  minimum  daily  mean  gage  height. 80 


CONTENTS 

PAGE 
7. — Where  small  streams  of  sudden  fluctuation  are  measured 

by  weirs  for  adjudication  of  water  by  the  courts. 81 

8. — Where  available  gage  readers  do  not  have  sufficient  intelli- 
gence to  read  a  gage,  or  cannot  be  trusted. 81 

9. — Where  the  station  is  situated  at  an  isolated  point  and  a 

gage  reader  is  not  available. 81 

ESSENTIAL  FEATURES  OF  AUTOMATIC  WATER  STAGE  REGISTERS 81 

The  Float    82 

The  Transfer  Mechanism  84 

The  Record  Sheets  85 

The  Clock    85 

•  The  Cover    86 

TYPES  OF  GURLEY  AUTOMATIC  WATER  STAGE  REGISTERS 86 

Gurley  Printing  Water  Stage  Register 87 

Advantages    87 

Construction    91 

Installation  and  Operation 97 

Gurley  Graphic  Water  Stage  Register  — 10  foot  Range 102 

Advantages    102 

Construction     104 

Installation  and  Operation   108 

Instructions  for  Changing  the  Range  of  Nos.  633  and  636 

Graphic  Water  Stage  Registers 110 

Gurley  Graphic  Water  Stage  Register  —  1  foot  Range 111 

Advantages    113 

Construction    113 

Installation  and  Operation 114 

Gurley  Long  Distance  Graphic  Water  Stage  Register 119 

Type  of  Record     120 

Simplicity  of  the  Outfit     120 

The  Long  Distance  Sender     121 

The  Long  Distance  Register     122 

The  Construction  of  No.  637  Long  Distance  Register    123 

The  Long  Distance  Indicator     124 

Electrical  Circuit  for  the  Long  Distance  Outfit    125 

Installation  and  Operation  of  the  Gurley  Long  Distance 

Outfit    127 

Gurley  Indicating  Gage     130 

INSTALLATION  AND  SHELTER  FOR  WATER  STAGE  REGISTERS 131 

CARE  AND  COMPUTATION  OF  RECORDS 136 

OTHER    APPLICATIONS    OF    GURLEY    CURRENT    METERS    AND   WATER 

STAGE    REGISTERS     142 

Measurements   of   Sewage 142 

Soundings  and  Tide  Gages 144 

Navagation    Canals 144 

Irrigation    Canals 146 

Hydraulic   Power    Stations 146 

Flumes 148 

Weirs .  148 

SUGGESTIONS    FOR    THE    SELECTION    OF    AUTOMATIC    WATER    STAGE 

REGISTERS 150 

Printing    Register 150 

Graphic    Registers 151 

LEVELING  INSTRUMENT  AND  ROD 154 

Gurley  Explorers   Level 154 

Gurley  Leveling    Rod 15'5 

INDEX 156 

PRICE  LIST  _.  _  IN  COVER  POCKET 


Illustrations 


PAGE 

GRAND  PRIZE  CERTIFICATE  AND  GOLD  MEDAL FRONTISPIECE 

FIG<  i. —  Gurley  Current  Meter  and  Attachments  15 

2. —  Reel  for  use  with  Current  Meter 20 

3. —  NO.  616  Acoustic  Current  Meter  Outfit 22 

4. —  No.  623  Electric  Current  Meter  Outfit,  with  meter  suspended 

by    cable —  23 

5. —  No.  623  Electric  Current  Meter  Outfit,  with  meter  suspend- 
ed by  jointed  wading  rods 23 

6. — .Nos.  617,  621  or  623,  attached  by  a  double  end  hanger  to  a 

flush-jointed  wading  rod 24 

7.— No.  609  Electric  Register   25 

8. —  Special  Fibre  Carrying  Case  for  Current  Meters, 26 

9. —  Testing  Meter   Circuit   33 

10. —  Testing   Meter   Circuit   33 

11. —  Testing  Meter   Circuit   33 

12. —  Current  Meter  Rating  Station  at  U.  S.  Bureau  of  Standards  34 
13. —  Current  Meter  Rating  Station  of  Irrigation  Branch  Canadian 

Interior   Department    35 

14. —  Boat  equipped  for  Current  Meter  Measurements 39 

15. —  Catamaran  equipped  for  Current  Meter  Measurements 39 

16. —  Natural  Control  of  a   Stream 41 

17. —  Artificial  Control  of  a  Stream  41 

18. —  Wading    Measurement    43 

19. —  Typical  Gaging  Station  for  Wading  Measurement 43 

20. —  Current  Meter  Gaging  Station 44 

21. —  Typical  Current  Meter  Gaging  Station  with  Automatic  Water 

Stage  Register 45 

22. —  Current  Meter  Observers  in  Cable  Car  __: 45 

23. —  Russian  Government  Engineers  using  Gurley  Current  Meters 

in   Turkestan    46 

24. —  Typical  Gaging  Station  for  Bridge  Measurement  _—  47 

25. —  Form  No.  H-325,  Discharge  Measurement,  General  Data 54 

26. —  Form  No.  H-326,  Current   Meter   Notes   55 

27. —  Cross-section  of  Stream  to  Illustrate  Discharge  Measurement 

Computation    56 

28. —  Winter   Measurement    57 

29. —  Current  Meter  Measurements  in  Winter    58 

30. —  Current  Meter  Measurements  in  Winter    —  58 

31. —  Current  Meter  Measurements  in  Winter    58 

32. —  Diagram     Indicating     Notation    used    in     making    Discharge 

Measurements  under  Ice,  with  Form  for  Notes 60 

33. —  ice  Chisel,  Ice  Measuring  Stick,  and  Bag  _ 

34. —  Winter   Measurement    61 

3.5. —  Showing  poor  location  of  Gaging   Station  66 

36. —  Showing  proper  and  improper  location  of  Gaging  Station 67 

37. —  Showing  poor  location  of  Gaging   Station   : 68 

38.— Vertical   and  Inclined   Staff   Gages   72 

39.— No.   628  Hook   Gage   73 

40. —  United  States  Geological  Survey  Bench  Mark 76 

41. —  Section  of  Paper  Tape,  showing  Printed  Record  made  on  a 

No.  630  Printing  Register  87 

42. —  No.  630  Printing  Water  Stage  Register,  Front    View    88 

43. —  No.  630  Printing  Water  Stage  Register,  Side    View    90 

44. —  No.  632  Tape  Reel,  for  use  with  No.  630  Printing  Register  __  91 

45. —  No.  630  Printing  Water  Stage  Register    92 

46. —  No.  630  Printing  Water  Stage 'Register    94 


ILLUSTRATIONS 

PAGE 

Fio.47. —  Details  of  Installation  of  No.  630  Printing  Register 90 

48. —  No.  633  Gurley  Graphic  Water  Stage  Register,  with  Spring- 
driven  Clock  105 

49. —  Diagram  of  No.  633  Gurley  Graphic  Register 106 

50. —  No.  636  Gurley  Graphic  Water  Stage  Register,  with  Weight- 
driven    Clock 107 

51. —  Showing  method  of  inserting  ends  of  the  Record  Sheet  in  the 

slot  in  the  Cylinder 109 

52. —  No.  634  Gurley  Graphic  Water  Stage  Register 112 

53. —  Diagram  of  No.  634  Gurley  Graphic  Register 114 

54.— Record  Sheet  for  No.  633     or  No.  636  Graphic  Register  117 

55. —  Record  Sheet  for  No.  634  Graphic    Register    118 

56. —  No.  638  Float  Operated   Sender,   for  Long  Distance  Graphic 

Register    121 

57. —  No.  637  Long  Distance  Graphic  Water  Stage  Register 122 

58. —  No.  637  Long  Distance   Register    123 

59. —  No.  639  Indicator,  front  and  rear  views 124 

60. —  Wiring    Diagram    showing   the    method    generally    used    in 

installing  Gurley  Long  Distance  Registers 125 

61. —  Wiring  Diagram  of  the  installation  of  a  Gurley  Long  Distance 

Register  at  Topeka,  Kansas : 126 

62. —  Diagram  showing  location  of  holes  in  table  and  floor  of  Gage 

House  for  Long  Distance  Register 127 

63. —  Details  of  installation  of  a  No.  638  Long  Distance  Sender 128 

64. —  No.  639-A  Indicating  Gage 130 

65. —  Portable    Shelter    installed    by    U.    S.    Geological    Survey    on 

Kinderhook  Creek  at  Rossman,  N.  Y. 131 

66. —  Device  for  reducing  quantity  of  oil  used  as  a  cover  in  wells  _  134 
67.— Reinforced  Concrete  Well  and  Shelter  installed  by  U.  S. 

Geological  Survey  on  the  American  River  at  Fairbanks,  Cal.  135 
68. —  Concrete  Shelter  containing  a  Gurley  Printing  Register,  as  in- 
stalled  by   the  U.    S.   Geological    Survey   on   the   Genesee 

River  at  St.  Helena,  N.  Y. 135 

69.— Metal  Shelter  and  Well    137 

70. —  Metal  Shelter  with   door  open   137 

71. —  Wooden  Well  and  Shelter  138 

72. —  Water  Stage  Register  installation  in  California 138 

73. —  Wooden  Well  and  Shelter  installed  at  a  Bridge  Abutment  —  139 
74. —  Wooden  Well  and  Shelter  installed  against  a  Bridge  Pier  __  139 
75. —  U.  S.  Geological  Survey  Form  for  Inspection  of  Recording 

Register    Stations    140 

76. —  Installation  of  a  Graphic  Register  in  manhole  of  a  sewer 142 

77. —  Installation  of  a  Graphic  Register  on  New  York  State  Barge 

Canal    145 

78. —  Installation  of  a  Graphic  Register  on  New  York  State  Barge 

Canal    145 

79. —  Installation  of  a  Graphic  Register  on  New  York  State  Barge 

Canal    145 

80. —  Installations  of  Printing  and  Graphic  Registers  in  connection 

with  the  Keokuk  Dam   147 

81.— Installation  of  a  Register  at  a  Weir 148 

82. —  Gurley  Experimental  Gaging  Station,  Troy,  N.  Y. 353 

83.— No.  384  Explorers   Level   154 

84.— No.  524-A  Plain  Leveling  Rod,  4-Ply 155 


Manual  ; ,          " 

of 

Gurley  Hydraulic  Engineering  Instruments 
PART  I. 

GURLEY  CURRENT  METERS 

(PRICE  PATENTS) 

THEIR  CONSTRUCTION,  CARE  AND  USE* 
INTRODUCTION 

FOR  more  than  thirty  years  W.  &  L.  E.  Gurley  have  made 
Current  Meters  under  the  patents  of  W.  G.  Price,  the 
Assistant  Engineer  of  the  Corps  of  Engineers,  Unites  States 
Army,  who  in  1885  devised  the  initial  pattern.  The  general 
features  are  retained  in  the  latest  models,  although  somewhat 
modified  as  the  result  of  suggestions  from  many  hydraulic 
engineers  who  have  had  large  experience  in  current  meter 
observation  under  all  conditions  of  service. 

The  many  hundreds  of  Gurley  Current  Meters  in  use  in  all 
parts  of  the  world,  their  constantly  increasing  sale  and  their 
accuracy  and  reliability  under  all  conditions,  show  that  they 
are  the  standard  instruments  for  the  accurate  measurement  of 
the  velocity  of  water  in  streams  and  open  conduits. 

A  current  meter  for  measuring  the  velocity  of  flowing  water 
comprises  two  essential  parts:  (a)  a  wheel  arranged  so  that 
when  suspended  in  flowing  water  the  pressure  of  the  water 
against  it  causes  it  to  revolve;  (b)  a  device  for  recording  or 
indicating  the  number  of  revolutions  of  this  wheel.  The  rela- 
tion between  the  velocity  of  the  moving  water  and  the  revolutions 
of  the  wheel  is  determined  by  rating  each  meter. 

"Largely  quoted  from  "  The  use  and  care  of  the  current  meter,  as 
practised  by  the  U.  S.  Geological  Survey,"  by  John  C.  Hoyt,  Trans.  Am. 
Soc.  C.  E.,  volume  66,  page  70,  1910. 

"  River  Discharge,"  by  Hoyt  &  Grover,  for  sale  by  W.  &  L.  E.  Gurley, 
price  $2.50  postpaid,  gives  a  complete  treatise  of  the  methods  of  collecting 
and  analyzing  stream-flow  data.  In  the  preparation  of  this  Manual  this 
book  has  been  largely  used  and  many  direct  quotations  are  made  from  it. 


i4;.  w.  #.L:  s:  GURLEY,  TROY,  NEW  YORK 

;'-'-,  \  •  sFKe  distinguishing  characteristics  of  a  good  current  meter 
are  (a)  simplicity  in  construction,  with  no  delicate  parts  which 
easily  get  out  of  order;  (b)  a  small  area  of  resistance  to  the 
velocity  of  the  water;  (c)  a  simple  and  effective  device  for  in- 
dicating the  number  of  revolutions  of  the  wheel;  and  (d) 
easy  adaptability  to  use  under  all  conditions. 


DESCRIPTION  OF  THE  GURLEY  CURRENT 
METER  AND  EQUIPMENT 

The  small  Gurley  Current  Meter  and  equipment  consist 
of  five  principal  parts:  (1)  the  head;  (2)  the  tail;  (3)  the 
hanger  and  weights;  (4)  the  recording  or  indicating  device; 
and  (5)  the  suspending  device.  In  the  following  descriptions 
the  numbers  in  parentheses  refer  to  Fig.  1. 

1.  THE  HEAD.  The  head  consists  of  a  ID  -  shaped  yoke  (1) 
carrying  a  wheel  made  of  six  conical  cups  (2),  attached  to  a 
horizontal  frame  (3).  This  wheel,  referred  to  as  the  cups, 
turns  in  a  counter  clockwise  direction  on  a  vertical  axis  known 
as  the  cup  shaft,  which  rests  and  revolves  on  a  pivot  point 
bearing  at  the  lower  end  and  engages  the  recording  mechanism 
at  the  upper  end. 

The  Cup  Shaft  consists  of  two  parts  (4,  5)  clamping  the 
cup  frame.  They  are  screwed  together  from  either  side  of  the 
frame,  thus  fastening  the  cups  rigidly  and  at  right  angles  to  the 
cup  shaft.  At  the  lower  part  of  the  cup  shaft  there  is  a  bucket 
nut  having  a  pivot  bearing  which  receives  the  pivot  point  (6) 
on  which  the  cups  revolve. 

The  Pivot  Point  is  screwed  through  a  metal  bushing  (7) 
known  as  the  frame  nut,  and  is  firmly  held  by  a  lock-nut  (8). 
The  frame  nut  slides  into  the  lower  arm  of  the  yoke,  and  is 
clamped  in  position  by  a  set-screw.  By  means  of  a  raising  nut 
(9)  on  the  lower  part  of  the  shaft,  the  cups  should  always  be 
lifted  from  the  pivot  point  when  the  meter  is  not  in  use.  This 
raising  nut  has  a  left-hand  thread,  so  that  it  will  not  tighten 
when  the  cups  revolve  when  in  use. 

The  upper  part  of  the  cup  shaft  is  fitted  with  either  a  worm 
gear  or  an  eccentric  that  passes  into  a  cylindrical  chamber  (10), 


CURRENT    METERS 


15 


Scale,  in  inches 
0123456 


FIG.  1 — Gurley  Current  Meter  and  Attachments. 

UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA 
.c.FARTN.ENT  OF  CIVIL  ENGINEER! 
rrRKELEY,  CALIFORNIA 


16  W.  &  L.  E.  GURLEY,  TROY,  NEW  YORK 

known  as  the  contact  chamber.  This  chamber  contains  the 
mechanism  for  making  the  contact  which  indicates  the  revolu- 
tions of  the  cups.  The  construction  and  arrangement  of  both 
the  contact  chamber  and  the  mechanism  contained  in  it  depend 
on  whether  the  indicating  device  is  penta-count  electric, 
single-count  electric,  or  acoustic. 

When  the  penta-count  electric  indicating  device  is  used,  the 
contact  chamber  (10)  which  is  closed  by  a  screw  cap  (11), 
provided  with  a  leather  gasket  for  keeping  out  the  water,  is  held 
by  a  sliding  fit  in  the  upper  end  of  the  yoke,  and  is  clamped 
in  position  by  a  set-screw.  In  the  contact  chamber  there  is 
fitted  a  cylindrical  plug  (12)  which  is  held  in  position  by  a 
screw  and  carries  a  gear-wheel  (13).  This  engages  the  worm 
gear  on  the  upper  end  of  the  cup  shaft,  the  gearing  being  so 
arranged  that  the  wheel  makes  one  revolution  for  every  twenty 
revolutions  of  the  cups.  On  the  side  of  the  wheel  are  four  pins, 
equally  spaced  and  set  so  that  they  will  strike  the  contact  spring 
(14)  at  each  fifth  revolution  of  the  cups,  thus  closing  the  elec- 
tric circuit  to  the  indicating  device,  explained  later.  These 
contact  parts  are  known  as  the  contact  wheel,  the  contact  pins, 
and  the  contact  spring.  The  contact  spring  is  carried  by  the 
contact  plug  (15)  which  is  screwed  into  the  contact  chamber 
through  a  hard-rubber  bushing  (16)  that  insulates  the  contact 
spring  from  all  other  parts  of  the  meter  when  it  is  not  touching 
one  of  the  pins  on  the  contact  wheel.  In  the  outer  end  of  the 
contact  plug  there  is  a  hole  and  a  set-screw  for  connecting  one 
wire  from  the  indicating  device. 

When  the  single-count  electric  indicating  device  is  used,  the 
contact  chamber  (lOa)  and  appurtenances  are  the  same  as 
described  for  the  penta-count  contact  chamber,  with  the  excep- 
tion that  the  gear  wheel  (13)  is  omitted  and  the  worm  gear  on 
the  upper  part  of  the  shaft  (4)  is  replaced  by  the  eccentric  (4a) 
that  strikes  the  contact  spring  (14a)  at  each  revolution,  thus 
closing  the  electric  circuit  to  the  indicating  device.  The  penta- 
and  single-count  contact  chambers  are  interchangeable. 

The  electric  indicating  device  is  used  when  the  meter  is 
suspended  from  a  meter  cord  attached  to  the  stem  (23),  or  is 
held  by  a  rod  either  screwed  into  the  coupling  (57),  or  sliding 
through  the  connection  (54). 


CURRENT    METERS 17 

When  the  acoustic  indicating  device  is  used,  the  contact 
chamber  (lOb)  is  closed  with  a  cap  (lib)  fitted  with  a  metal 
drum  (49),  and,  in  place  of  the  contact  spring  (14)  and  plug 
(16),  there  is  a  small  hammer  (50)  which  is  caused  by  the  pins 
on  the  side  of  the  gear-wheel  (13a)  to  strike  the  drum  at  each 
tenth  revolution  of  the  cups.  In  order  to  keep  the  water  from 
deadening  the  sound  by  rising  into  the  contact  chamber  (lOb), 
it  is  raised  about  four  inches  above  the  yoke  (la)  by  inserting 
the  tube  (59)  and  lengthening  the  upper  part  of  the  shaft  (4a). 
The  acoustic  meter  is  always  supported  on  a  rod  (51)  attached 
to  the  contact  chamber. 

2.  THE  TAIL.    The  tail  is  used  when  the  meter  is  suspended 
by  a  cable,  or  on  a  sliding  hanger  rod.     It  balances  the  head, 
and  also  keeps  the  axis  of  the  meter  parallel  to  the  direction  of 
the  current.     It  consists  of  a  stem  (17)   which  is  held  by  a 
sliding  fit  into  a  socket  in  the  stem  of  the  yoke,  in  which  it  is 
clamped  by  a  set-screw.     On  this  stem  there  are  two  vanes  (18 
and  19)  set  at  right  angles.    One  of  the  vanes  is  rigidly  attached 
to  the  stem;  the  other  fits  into  grooves  on  the  first  and  may  be 
pulled  out  readily  when  the  key  (20)  that  holds  it  in  place  is 
turned.     On  one  of  the  vanes  there  is  a  slot  carrying  a  weight 
(21)  that  can  be  adjusted  to  balance  the  meter. 

3.  THE  HANGER  AND  WEIGHTS.     When  suspended  by  a 
cable,  the  meter  is  hung  by  a  screw-bo]  t  (22)  on  a  steel  stem 
(23)  that  passes  through  a  slot  in  the  stem  of  the  yoke.    The  slot 
in  the  stem  of  the  yoke  is  wide  enough  to  allow  the  meter  to 
swing  freely  in  a  vertical  plane,  and  the  bolt  passes  through  the 
frame  a  little  above  the  center  of  gravity  of  the  meter,  so  that 
the  latter  will  readily  adjust  itself  to  a  horizontal  position.     In 
the  upper  end  of  the  hanger  there  is  a  hole  for  attaching  the 
suspended  cable,  and  at  intervals  along  the  stem  there  are  other 
holes  by  which  the  meter  and  lead  weights  may  be  hung.     The 
weights  (24)  are  of  torpedo  shape, —  a  design  which  offers  the 
least    resistance  to  the  current, —  and  are  made  in  two    sizes 
weighing,  respectively,  10  and  15  pounds.     They  are  attached 
to  the  stem  by  a  screw  bolt.     The  order  in  which  the  weights 
and  meter  are  placed  on  the  stem,  depends  on  the  conditions 
under  which  the  measurements  are  to  be  made. 

When  the  meter  is  used  on  a  rod,  the  hanger,  the  weights, 
and  sometimes  the  tail  are  dispensed  with. 


18  W.  &  L.  E.  GURLEY,  TROY,  NEW  YORK 

The  set-screws  for  clamping  the  various  sliding  fits  are  all 
of  the  same  size  and  are  of  standard  make.  Beveled  grooves 
are  provided  in  each  of  these  connections,  so  that  when  the  set- 
screws  engage  them  the  parts  are  drawn  into  place. 

All  parts  of  the  meter  are  standard,  and  can  readily  be 
replaced  in  the  field.  Parts  should  always  be  ordered  by  Shop 
Number  from  the  illustrations  in  the  Price  List. 

4.  THE  RECORDING  OR  INDICATING  DEVICE.  A  recording 
or  indicating  device  is  necessary  for  determining  the  number  of 
revolutions  of  the  meter  wheel,  and  the  successful  use  of  the 
meter  depends  largely  on  this  part  of  the  apparatus.  Various 
devices,  operated  either  on  the  mechanical,  electric,  or  acoustic 
principle,  have  been  used  for  this  purpose.  These  include  the 
telegraph  ticker,  automatic  recorder,  electric  buzzer,  telephone 
receiver,  drums,  etc.  Of  these,  however,  the  telephone  receiver 
and  the  acoustic  indicator  have  been  found  to  be  most  satisfac- 
tory in  general  practice. 

The  telephone  attachment  consists  of  a  telephone  receiver 
(25)  and  small  battery  (26)  placed  in  a  partial  circuit  which 
terminates  in  a  connecting  plug  (27)  by  means  of  which  the 
apparatus  can  be  readily  connected  in  circuit  with  the  meter. 
The  magnets  of  the  telephone  receiver  are  wound  so  as  to  secure 
a  loud  click. 

The  dry  battery  (26)  is  compact  and  can  be  replaced  read- 
ily. It  is  equipped  with  binding  posts  to  receive  the  two  wires. 

In  use,  the  telephone  receiver  is  fastened  on  the  shoulder  by 
a  large  safety  pin,  or  is  held  at  the  ear  by  an  operator's  head 
band,  which  is  worn  under  the  cap,  if  preferred.  The  battery 
cell  is  placed  in  the  coat  or  trousers  pocket.  The  connecting 
plug  (27)  should  hang  below  the  shoulders  and  be  easily  acces- 
sible for  attaching  and  detaching  the  meter  circuit. 

In  the  acoustic  indicator,  the  striking  of  the  hammer  (50) 
on  the  drum  (49)  in  the  contact  chamber  (lOb)  indicates  each 
tenth  revolution  of  the  meter,  as  already  explained.  The  sound 
is  transmitted  through  the  rods  (51)  and  a  rubber  tube  to  the 
ear  of  the  operator.  The  rubber  end  and  ear-piece  are  not 
necessary  unless  there  is  considerable  noise. 


^ CURRENT    METERS 19 

Audible  indicators,  such  as  the  telephone  and  the  acoustic 
signalling  device,  have  the  advantage  of  enabling  the  operator 
to  detect  any  irregularities  caused  by  trouble  with  the  meter, 
battery,  electric  circuit,  or  any  part  of  the  equipment.  A  stop- 
watch is  necessary  for  the  proper  observation  of  time. 

Electric  recording  devices  are  sometimes  used,  particularly 
when  measuring  the  discharge  of  large  navigable  streams.  For 
this  purpose  specially  designed  boats  manned  by  several 
assistants  are  used. 

5.  THE  SUSPENDING  DEVICE.  The  suspending  device,  which 
consists  of  a  rod  or  of  some  form  of  cable,  must  provide  for 
lowering  the  meter  and  weight  into  the  water  and  also  for  com- 
pleting an  electric  circuit  which  includes  the  contact  chamber, 
the  meter,  and  the  recording  device. 

The  rod  in  common  use  in  connection  with  the  electric 
recorder  consists  of  a  /^  inch  tube  (55)  graduated  to  feet  and 
tenths.  For  convenience  in  carrying,  it  is  made  in  1.5  or 
2  foot  sections  fitted  with  screw  threads,  the  2  foot  section  being 
standard.  The  sections  of  the  rod  are  connected  by  flush  joints 
which  offer  no  obstruction  to  the  movement  of  the  sliding 
hanger. 

Two  methods  of  hanging  the  meter  on  the  rod  are  in  use. 
By  the  first  the  head  and  tail  of  the  meter  are  attached  to  a 
sliding  hanger  (54),  which  can  be  moved  up  and  down  the  rod 
or  clamped  in  any  position.  On  the  bottom  of  the  rod  there 
is  a  flat  base  (53)  which  keeps  it  from  sinking  into  the  bed  of 
the  stream,  and  at  the  top  there  is  a  plug  (56)  for  connecting 
one  of  the  wires  from  the  recording  device.  The  circuit 
between  the  meter  cups  and  the  recording  device  is  made  by 
attaching  one  of  the  wires  from  the  recording  device  to  the  plug 
in  the  top  of  the  rod.  The  other  wire  follows  down  the  rod 
and  is  attached  to  the  contact  plug  of  the  meter.  In  the  second 
method  the  rod  (58)  is  connected  by  the  screw  socket  (57) 
in  the  yoke. 

The  rods  (51)  for  use  with  either  type  of  meter  are  of  /^ 
inch  tubing  graduated  to  feet  and  tenths  and,  for  convenience 
in  carrying,  are  made  in  1.5  or  2  foot  sections  which  screw 
together.  The  bottom  rod  connects  with  the  contact  chamber 
(49)  by  a  screw,  and  is  cut  so  that  the  zero  reading  is  the  plane 


20  W.  &  L.  E.  GURLEY,  TROY,  NEW  YORK 


of  the  center  of  the  cups.  On  the  upper  end  of  the  top  rod 
there  is  a  flat  plate  (52)  in  the  center  of  which  there  is  a  hole 
through  which  the  sound  from  the  drum  can  be  heard.  The 
soundings  are  made  with  this  end  of  the  rod.  and  the  plate  keeps 
the  end  from  sinking  into  the  bed  of  the  stream. 

The  meter  cables  must  be  strong  enough  to  support  the 
weight  required  to  hold  the  meter  in  place  while  making  obser- 
vations, must  be  water-proof  to  avoid  short  circuits  and  must 
be  tough  and  flexible  to  withstand  hard  usage.  They  should 
be  as  small  in  diameter,  consistent  with  strength,  as  is  possible, 
in  order  to  offer  small  resistance  to  the  water.  They  may  be 
graduated  in  feet  by  means  of  markers,  for  convenience  in 
measuring  depths.  Greater  precision  in  such  measurements  is 
obtained  by  using  a  single  index  point  and  applying  it  to  a 
fixed  scale.  This  method  eliminates  the  effect  of  any  possible 
stretch  in  the  cable.  When  used  on  a  cable  reel,  (See  Fig.  2) 
the  scale  and  index  are  part  of  the  reel. 

Reels  should  be  used  at  any  place  where  a  considerable 
number  of  measurements  are  to  be  made,  both  as  a  matter  of 
convenience  in  handling  the  equipment  and  to  protect  the  elec- 
tric circuits  in  the  meter  cable  from  the  effects  of  twisting  and 
abrasion. 


FIG.  2 — Reel  for  use  with  Gurley  Current  Meter.     Designed  for  use  on  a 

railroad  bridge  having  a  narrow  foot  walk.     The  reel  is  fastened  on 

the  side  opposite  the  meter,  so  as  to  prevent  it  from  tipping. 


CURRENT    METERS  21 


SELECTING  THE  PROPER  TYPE  OF  CURRENT  METER 

The  experience  of  many  years  has  shown  that  only  two 
patterns  of  the  Gurley  meter  are  needed  to  adequately  meet 
the  requiremnts  of  practically  all  engineers  engaged  in  measur- 
the  flow  of  water,  namely — the  Acoustic  type,  No.  616,  and 
the  Electric  type,  represented  by  Nos.  617,  621  and  623. 
Accordingly,  the  large  model  formerly  listed  as  No.  600,  and 
one  of  the  smaller  patterns,  No.  618,  have  been  discontinued. 
No.  617  and  No.  621  have  been  standardized  by  equipping 
them  with  the  Covert  yoke,  as  described  on  page  24,  thus  mak- 
ing them  correspond  to  No.  623  except  that  only  one  commuta- 
tor box  is  supplied,  single  count  with  No.  617,  and  penta  count 
with  No.  621,  whereas  No.  623  has  both  of  these  features. 

Thus,  if  Meter  No.  617  or  No.  621  is  selected  and  the 
engineer  finds  that  both  commutator  boxes  are  required,  he 
can  purchase  the  extra  single  count  or  penta  count  head  and  then 
have  Meter  No.  623. 

The  selection  of  a  meter  should  be  made  after  consideration 
has  been  given  to  the  following  factors: 

(1)  The  purpose  for  which  the  instrument  is  to  be  used. 

(2)  The  manner  in  which  it  is  supported. 

(3)  The  amount  of  weight  to  be  used. 

(4)  The  frequency  of  the  revolutions  to  be  indicated. 

When  it  is  possible  for  the  observer  to  approach  the  stream 
closely,  and  to  hold  the  meter  in  position  by  means  of  its  suspen- 
sion rod,  especially  in  channels  of  small  depth,  the  Acoustic 
Current  Meter  No.  616  is  very  useful.  This  meter  indicates 
each  tenth  revolution.  See  page  22. 

No.  616,  the  Acoustic  Current  Meter,  is  so  called  because 
the  revolutions  of  the  bucket  wheel  are  indicated  by  the  sound 
of  a  hammer  striking  against  a  diaphragm,  one  blow  for  every 
10  revolutions.  The  indicating  mechanism  is  completely 
enclosed  and  thoroughly  protected  from  injury.  When  in  use 
the  meter  is  held  by  a  sleeve-jointed  wading  rod,  which  screws 
into  the  frame  and  in  connection  with  a  rubber  tube  and  ear 
piece  attached  to  it,  forms  a  passage  through  which  the  sound 


22   W.  &  L.  E.  GURLEY,  TROY,  NEW  YORK 


of  the  hammer  stroke  is  transmitted  to  the  ear  of  the  observer. 
This  enables  him  to  count  the  number  of  revolutions  of  the 
wheel  in  any  given  space  of  time,  and  then  by  means  of  the 
rating  table  to  ascertain  the  velocity  of  flow. 

Many  observers  perfer  an  electric  type  of  revolution  in- 
dicator. In  some  cases  it  is  desirable  to  have  more  than  one 
person  hear  and  bear  witness  to  the  number  of  revolutions.  For 
this  purpose  an  electric  indicator  is  preferable.  To  meet  these 
demands,  Electric  Meters  Nos.  617,  621  and  623  are  offered. 


FIG.  3. —  No.  616  Acoustic  Current  Meter  Outfit,  with  sleeve-jointed  wading 

rods,  rubber  tube,  ear  piece-  and  connection. 

Indicating  each  tenth  revolution. 

In  all  of  these  patterns,  the  indicating  device  is  protected  from 
injury  by  enclosure  in  the  contact  chambers,  or  commutator 
boxes,  and  the  revolutions  of  the  bucket  wheel  are  indicated 
by  a  telephone  receiver,  which  is  generally  fastened  in  a  con- 
venient position  on  the  observer's  coat. 

These  meters  are  suspended  in  use  by  a  wire  or  cable 
attached  to  the  steel  weight  hanger  which,  after  passing  through 


CURRENT    METERS 


23 


the  frame,  suspends  the  torpedo-shaped  weight  necessary  to 
hold  the  meter  in  the  vertical  plane  against  the  current.  The 
vanes  on  the  weight  assist  in  keeping  the  meter  parallel  with 
the  direction  of  the  current.  The  number  and  position  of  the 
weights  on  the  stem  or  hanger  depend  upon  the  conditions 
under  which  the  measurement  is  to  be  made. 

A  tail,  consisting  of  a  stem  to  which  are  fastened  two  vanes 
(separable  in  packing),  is  attached  to  the  frame  opposite  the 
bucket  wheel  and  serves  the  double  purpose  of  balancing  the 
bucket  wheel  and  keeping  the  meter  parallel  to  the  direction 
of  the  current. 


FIG.  4. —  No.  623  Electric  Current  Meter 
Outfit,  with  meter  suspended  ~by  cable, 
and  with  telephone  sounder,  cable,  dry 
cell  battery,  and  two  commutator  boxes. 
Indicating  each,  or  each  fifth,  revolution. 


FIG.  5. —  No.623  Electric  Current  Meter 
Outfite,  with  meter  suspended  by  jointed 
wading  rods,  and  with  telephone  sounder, 
cable,  dry  cell  battery,  and  two  com- 
mutator boxes, 
Indicating  each,  or  each  fifth,  revolution. 


All  of  the  advantages  of  Meters  No.  617,  618  and  621  are 
combined  in  No.  623,  which  can  be  suspended  by  cable  or  by 
jointed  wading  rod,  and  which  is  equipped  with  two  inter- 
changeable commutator  boxes  for  indicating  each  revolution, 
or  each  fifth  revolution,  of  the  bucket  wheel. 


24  W.  &  L.  E.  GURLEY,  TROY,  NEW  YORK 

The  combination  of  these  features  provides  an  outfit  which 
has  been  adopted  as  standard  by  the  most  efficidnt  hydraulic 
engineers.  This  meter  is  used  extensively  by  the  Water  Re- 
sources Branch  of  the  United  States  Geological  Survey,  the 
leading  organization  devoted  to  the  precise  measurement  of 
water 

The  contact  chambers  (Commutator  boxes)  may  be  readily 
interchanged,  the  only  change  being  in  the  shaft  and  consisting 
of  the  insertion  of  a  cam  on  the  end  of  the  bucket  shaft  when 
a  single  revolution  is  to  be  indicated,  or  the  insertion  of  a 
worm  when  it  is  desired  to  indicate  every  fifth  revolution. 

A  screw  socket  is  provided  on  the  frame  of  Meters  Nos. 
617,  621  and  623,,  to  receive  a  series  of  graduated  rods  by 
which  any  of  these  meters  may  be  suspended,  if  desired,  in- 


Fio.  6. —  Meters  Nos.  617,  621  or  623,  attached  by  a  double-end  hanger  to  a 
flush-jointed  wading  rod,   having  a  removable  base. 

stead  of  a  cable,  no  change  being  made  in  the  meter  except 
the  removal  of  the  weight  hanger.  This  device  is  known  as 
the  Covert  Yoke,  after  its  designer,  Mr.  C.  C.  Covert,  of  the 
United  States  Geological  Survey. 

The  removable  base  for  the  flush- jointed  wading  rods  used 
in  connection  with  a  double-end  hanger,  serves  to  prevent  the 
meter  from  sinking  into  the  bed  of  the  stream. 


CURRENT    METERS 25 

The  flush-jointed  rods  will  also  fit  the  Covert  Yoke  of 
Meters  Nos.  617,  621  and  623,  and  can  thus  be  used  for 
suspending  the  meter  in  the  manner  illustrated  in  Fig.  6. 

The  present  type  of  dry  battery  is  suitable  for  carrying 
conveniently  in  the  coat  or  shirt  pocket  and  can  be  replaced  at 
most  electrical  supply  stores.  When  this  size  is  not  obtainable, 
the  use  of  any  standard  six  inch  dry  cell  is  recommended. 

The  improved  form  of  connecting  block  between  the  cable 
and  telephone  receiver  has  a  locking  device  which  prevents 
the  two  sections  from  becoming  disconnected  accidentally. 

A  time  recorder  or  stop  watch  of  fine  quality  will  be  found 
desirable  in  observing  the  revolutions  of  the  bucket  wheel 
for  any  given  time.  No.  619  is  recommended.  (See  Price  List.) 


FIG.  7. —  No.  609  Electric  Register. 

Whenever  it  is  desirable  to  record  the  revolutions  of  the 
bucket  wheel  of  Meters  Nos.  617,  621  and  623,  an  Electric 
Register  may  be  substituted  for  the  telephone  receiver  ordi- 
narily used. 

Electric  Register  No.  609  has  been  developed  recently 
and  is  a  great  improvement  over  the  former  pattern.  It  is 
suitable  for  use  with  current  meters  or  any  other  intermittent 
contact  device  of  which  a  record  is  desired. 

This  device  consists  of  a  three  figure  "Veeder"  counter 
operated  by  an  electro-magnet  and  springs,  and  is  so  arranged 
that  the  same  force  acts  on  the  counter  regardless  of  how  much 


26  W.  &  L.  E.  GURLEY,  TROY,  NEW  YORK 

current  is  used.  This  results  in  a  uniform  action  and  guar- 
antees against  any  skipping  or  missing,  under  widely  varying 
conditions. 

This  instrument  will  operate  under  favorable  conditions 
with  one  good  dry  cell,  but  should  have  two,  as  a  protection 
against  deterioration  of  the  battery.  It  requires  but  0.31 
ampere  with  two  cells,  which  is  a  much  smaller  current  than 
was  necessary  with  the  old  style  register,  and  which  will  not 
burn  the  current  meter  contacts. 

There  are  no  dials  to  read,  the  total  result  being  shown 
directly  by  the  figures,  so  that  there  is  small  chance  of  an  error 
in  reading. 


FIG.  8. —  Special  Fibre  Carrying  Case  for  Current  Meters. 

All  current  meters  are  packed  in  a  wooden  box  with  lock, 
hooks  and  carrying  strap,  and  including  accessories  of  oil  can, 
wrench,  screwdriver  and  extra  pivot  bearing. 

A  special  carrying  case  of  fibre,  having  two  compartments, 
one  for  the  meter  and  the  other  for  the  lead  weight,  cable, 
sounder,  etc.,  as  shown  in  Fig.  8,  can  be  furnished  at  an 
additional  price,  for  Meters  No.  617,  621  or  623. 


CURRENT    METERS  27 

Meters  are  ordinarily  supported  on  either  graduated  rods 
or  on  meter  cables.  Standard  graduated  rods  are  best  adapted 
to  low  velocities  and  to  depths  not  exceeding  five  feet.  For  high 
velocities  or  greater  depths  it  is  necessary  to  use  cable  of  special 
design. 

The  cable  must  be  strong  enough  to  properly  support  the 
amount  of  weight  used,  to  hold  the  meter  in  place.  It  must  also 
be  water-proof  and  of  high  quality.  The  cable  usually  consists 
of  No.  16  old  code  double  insulated  show  window  cord,  which 
will  properly  support  the  weights  generally  used.  For  those 
exceptional  cases  where  heavy  weight  is  required,  an  appro- 
priate increase  should  be  made  in  the  size  of  the  cable. 

The  amount  of  weight  to  be  used  depends  on  the  velocity 
of  the  current  to  be  measured.  A  single  ten  pound  weight 
will  serve  for  the  measurement  of  ordinary  velocities.  Thirty 
pounds  weight  is  sufficient  for  all  cases  of  ordinary  practice. 
A  single  thirty  pound  weight  is  preferable,  but  for  convenience 
in  handling,  two  fifteen  pound  weights  may  be  used.  When 
more  weight  is  used  it  should  be  in  one  piece  and  when  placed 
on  the  hanger  the  top  of  the  weight  should  be  not  less  than  six 
inches  from  the  bottom  of  the  cups. 

The  frequency  with  which  the  revolution  of  the  cups  will 
be  indicated  depends  on  the  velocity  of  the  water  to  be  measured. 
For  velocities  under  four  feet  per  second  the  contact  indicating 
each  single  revolution  should  be  selected,  but  for  higher  vel- 
ocities the  contact  indicating  every  fifth  revolution  should  be 
used.  Electric  Register  No.  609  will  record  satisfactorily  all 
usual  velocities  with  either  style  of  contact  chamber. 


28      W.  &  L.  E.  GURLEY,  TROY,  NEW  YORK 


ADVANTAGES  OF  GURLEY  CURRENT  METERS 

Reliability  in  service.  Gurley  meters  have  been  devel- 
oped to  meet  the  exacting  requirements  of  field  service.  The 
details  of  construction  have  been  improved  from  time  to  time 
to  insure  continuous  reliability  under  actual  working  conditions. 
They  may  be  depended  upon  to  give  accurate  results  under 
trying  conditions. 

Simplicity  of  design.  The  details  of  design  are  extremely 
simple.  The  instrument  is  self-contained.  There  are  no  deli- 
cate adjustments  required,  nor  are  there  any  exposed  parts  to 
give  trouble. 

Rigidity  of  construction.  Gurley  meters  are  strongly  con- 
structed. They  will  resist  successfully  all  of  the  stresses  and 
shocks  incident  to  travel  and  field  service. 

Adaptability.  Gurley  meters  are  equally  well  adapted  to 
the  measurement  of  small  streams  and  large  rivers.  A  single 
meter  may  be  used  on  both  classes  of  work  by  simply  altering 
the  method  of  suspension. 

Size.  The  compactness  of  the  Gurley  meter  is  a  material 
advantage.  It  can  be  packed,  when  traveling,  in  a  box  small 
enough  to  be  carried  in  a  hand  bag.  Its  size  is  also  an  advan- 
tage in  handling  when  in  actual  use. 


CURRENT    METERS  29 


COMPLETE  CURRENT  METER  FIELD  OUTFIT 

A  complete  current  meter  outfit  for  field  use  consists  of: 
(    1)      Meter  itself,  with  its  rating  table. 

(2)  Telephone  or  other  indicating  device,  connected  up 

with  insulated  wire  in  circuit  with  dry  cell  and 
connecting  plugs,  ready  for  use. 

(3)  Oil  can,  filled  with  clock  oil. 

(4)  Small  screw  driver. 

(   5)  Spanner  wrench  for  dismantling  the  meter. 

(   6)  Cable  for  supporting  the  meter,  equipped  with  snap. 

(   7)  Torpedo  weight. 

(   8)  Hanger. 

(   9)  Hanger  screw. 

(10)  Stopwatch. 

(11)  Rods  for  wading  measurements. 

(12)  Notebook,  containing  blueprint  of  rating  table  for 

the  meter  used,  a  list  of  special  tools,  equipment, 
and  also  clothing,  to  be  carried  if  the  trip  is  to 
be  an  extended  one. 

The  Notebook  should  also  contain  a  supply  of  note  forms, 
including: 

Discharge  Measurement  General  Data,    Form    No.    H-325 
(See  page  54). 

Current  Meter  Notes,  Form  No.  H-326  (See  page  55). 

Current  Meter  Notes  —  Ice  Cover,  Form  No.  H-327  (See 
page  60). 

Inspection  of  Recording  Register  Stations  (See  page  140). 
Level  Notes. 
Sketch  Sheets. 


30  W.  &  L.  E.  GURLEY,  TROY,  NEW  YORK 

It  will  be  convenient  to  be  supplied  with  the  following 
articles,  which  are  frequently  necessary  or  desirable  for  making 
repairs  to  the  station  equipment  and  for  the  ordinary  operation 
of  the  current  meter: 

(    1)      Parallel  jaw  pliers  with  wire  cutter. 

(2)  Bottle  of  special  clock  oil,  which  will  not  clog  in 

cold  weather. 

(3)  Roll  of  insulating  tape. 

(4)  25  -  foot  metallic  tape. 

(5)  50  -  foot  steel  tape. 

. 

(   6)  Extra  pivot  point. 

(   7)  Extra  set  of  screws,  for  meter. 

(   8)  Extra  screws,  for  hanger. 

(   9)  Extra  battery,  with  binding  posts  wound  with  insul- 
ating tape. 

(10)  Extra  contact  spring  in  rubber  bushing. 

(11)  Insulated  wire. 

(12)  Small  hatchet. 

(13)  Assortment   of   nails.     Piece    of   twine.     Piece   of 

cotton  cloth,  for  drying  meter. 


We  are  prepared  to  supply  a  Time  Recorder,  or  Stop  Watch, 
known  as  No.  619,  open  face,  nickel  case,  stem  winder,  with 
fly-back  attachment  for  starting  and  stopping.  It  registers 
minutes,  seconds  and  fifths  of  seconds.  See  Price  List. 


CURRENT    METERS 31 

CARE  OF  THE  CURRENT  METER 

TO  TAKE  THE  METER  APART 

When  taking  the  meter  apart,  remove  the  tail  vanes  and  the 
hanger  stem;  then  loosen  the  set-screw  to  the  contact  chamber, 
and  pull  the  chamber  out  by  a  slight  twisting  motion.  Care 
must  be  taken  to  let  the  cups  be  free  to  turn,  so  that  the  worm 
gear  on  the  upper  end  of  the  shaft  can  disengage  from  the  teeth 
of  the  contact  wheel.  In  handling  the  contact  chamber,  it  is 
well  to  take  off  the  cap,  so  that  the  gear-wheel  can  be  seen  during 
the  operation.  The  pivot-point  can  then  be  taken  out  and  the 
cups  released  by  loosening  the  upper  part  of  the  shaft  with  a 
spanner  wrench.  This  wrench  is  so  designed  that  it  can  be 
used  for  loosening  all  parts  of  the  meter. 

In  putting  the  meter  together,  first  attach  the  cups  to  the 
cup  shaft.  In  doing  this,  the  upper  part  of  the  shaft  should  be 
inserted  through  the  upper  hole  of  the  yoke  before  it  is  screwed 
to  the  lower  part.  Care  must  be  taken  to  place  the  cups  so  that 
they  will  move  counter-clockwise.  After  the  cups  have  been 
fastened  to  the  shaft,  insert  the  pivot  point  and  clamp  it  in 
place,  and  then  insert  the  contact  chamber.  In  replacing  the 
contact  chamber,  the  cups  should  be  left  free  to  move  on  the 
pivot  point.  Before  inserting  the  frame  nut,  the  pivot  point 
should  be  adjusted  and  firmly  secured  with  the  lock-nut.  The 
adjustment  should  allow  a  slight  vertical  motion  of  the  cups. 

TO  CHANGE  CONTACT  CHAMBERS 

1.  Loosen  the  set  screw  to  the  contact  chamber  in  yoke. 

2.  Carefully  lift  the  contact  chamber  from  the  yoke. 

3.  Carefully  unscrew  either  the  worm,  or  eccentric,  from 
the  shaft  and  screw  in  the  other,  which  will  be  found  in  the 
small  round  tin  box. 

4.  Slide  into  the  yoke  the  other  chamber,  which  is  in  a 
block  in  one  corner  of  the  meter  box,  and  tighten  the  set  screw. 


32   W.  &  L.  E.  GURLEY,  TROY,  NEW  YORK 


SPECIAL  INSTRUCTIONS 

Although  the  current  meter  is  substantially  made,  and  will 
stand  considerable  hard  usage,  it  needs  careful  handling  and 
attention  to  insure  its  proper  working.  In  this  connection  the 
following  instructions  should  be  carefully  observed: 

1.  Be  sure  that  the  set-screws  are    all    tightened    before 
putting  the  meter  in  the  water;  otherwise,  some  of  the  parts 
may  be  lost. 

2.  Loosen  the  raising  nut  and  see    that    the    meter    runs 
freely  before  beginning  a  measurement.     Spin  the  meter  cups 
occasionally  during  a  measurement  to  see  that  they  are  running 
freely,  that  is,  that  they  will  continue  to  move  for  a  considerable 
time  at  a  slow  velocity. 

3.  See  that  the  weights  play  freely  on  the  stem,  so  as  to 
take  the  direction  of  the  current  and  thus  avoid  an  unnecessary 
drag  on  the  line. 

4.  If   any   apparent  inconsistency   in   the   results   of   an 
observation  throws  doubt  on  its  accuracy,  investigate  the  cause 
at  once.     Grass  may  be  wound  around  the  cup  shaft;  the  cups 
may  be  tilted  by  tension  on  the  contact  wire;  the  channel  may 
be  obstructed  immediately  above  the  meter;  the  meter  may  be 
in  a  hole;  or  the  cups  may  be  bent  so  as  to  come  in  contact 
with  the  yoke. 

5.  After  a  measurement,  it  is  absolutely  necessary  to  pour 
out  any  water  that  may  have  collected  in  the  commutator  box, 
to  clean  and  oil  the  bearing  (in  order  to  prevent  rust)  and  to 
inspect  the  pivot  point. 

6.  When  the  meter  is  not  in  use,  the  cups  should  never  be 
permitted  to  ride  on  the  pivot  point. 

7.  Always    see   that   the   lock-nut   on   the   pivot-point   is 
screwed  firmly  against  the  frame  nut,  so  that  it  will  stay  in 
place  and  carry  the  cups  properly. 

8.  Never  use  a  dulled  pivot.     Always  keep  several  extra 
pivots  on  hand. 

9.  In  measuring  low  velocities,  be  sure  that  the  meter  is 
in  a  horizontal  position.     If  it  has  a  tendency  to  tip,  the  balance 


CURRENT    METERS 33 

weight  on  the  tail  should  be  adjusted  or  the  meter  be  held  rigidly 
by  inserting  a  plug  in  the  slot  against  the  stem. 

10.  Avoid  taking  measurements  in  velocities  of  less  than 
0.5  foot  per  second,  because  the  accuracy  of  the  meter  dimin- 
ishes as  zero  velocity  is  approached. 

11.  For  velocities  of  less  than  1  foot  per  second,  the  pivot 
point  should  be  the  same  as  at  the  time  of  rating,  sharp  and 
smooth.     As  the  velocity  increases,  the  condition  of  the  point  is 
less  important,  because  the  friction  factor  decreases. 

12.  In  taking  measurements  at  high  velocities,  sufficient 
weight,  and  a  stay-line,  should  be  used  to  hold  the  meter  in  a 
vertical  position. 

13.  In   very    shallow 
streams  the  meter  should  be 
suspended  from  the  lower  hole 
on  the   stem,   and  the  weight 

should  be  placed  above.  FlG-  9 

14.  If   the    cups    of   the 
meter  are  bent,  they  may  be 
easily  put  in  shape  by  pressing 
them  with  a  piece  of  wood  or 

metal   with   a    round,    smooth  FlG  10 

end. 

15.  The    telephone    re-  r       B 
ceiver  is  very  sensitive  to  elec-                 x — © — 
trie  currents,  and  can  be  used                ( 

to  locate  any  break  in  the  cir-  • 

cuit.      First  try  the  telephone  .  FlGl  n 

,   ,  J     ,  ?  Testing  Meter  Circuit. 

and  battery  together  (Fig.  9) 

in  a  circuit  having  a  make-and-break  point,  as  at  a.  This  may 
be  done  by  using  a  knife  blade  or  a  screw  driver,  making  con- 
nection where  the  wires  enter  the  plug.  If  there  is  no  click  in 
the  telephone,  then  the  battery  or  the  telephone  does  not  make 
a  circuit.  If  there  is  a  click,  insert  the  meter  in  the  line  and 
test  for  a  contact  in  the  meter  head  (Fig.  10)  by  revolving  the 
meter  wheel.  If  the  meter  is  all  right,  put  the  meter  cord  in 
the  circuit  and  test  both  sides  either  by  inserting  a  fine  needle 
that  joins  both  conductors  or  by  making  double  connection  and 
touching  alternate  sides  of  the  line,  a.  (Fig.  11). 


34  W.  &  L.  E.  GURLEY,  TROY,  NEW  YORK 


16.  When  the  meter  is  not  in  use,  disconnect  the  meter  line 
from  the  battery,  so  that  it  will  not  become  exhausted. 

17.  Do  not  strike  the  telephone  receiver,  as  a  heavy  jar 
will  to  a  greater  or  less  extent,  demagnetize  the  pole  pieces,  and 
to  that  extent  will  injure  the  receiver.     If  care  is  taken,  it  is 
very  improbable  that  the  telephone    receiver   will    get    out    of 
order. 

18.  Gare  must  be  taken  not  to  short-circuit  the  dry  battery 
when  the  meter  is  not  in  use.     To  avoid  this,  the  poles  may  be 
wound  with  insulating  tape. 


RATING  THE  CURRENT  METER 

The  relation  between  the  revolutions  of  the  meter  cups  and 
the  velocity  of  the  water  may  be  determined  by  rating  each 
meter  before  it  is  used.  Theoretically,  the  rating  for  all  meters 
of  the  same  make  should  be  the  same,  but,  as  a  result  of  slight 
variations  in  construction,  and  in  the  bearing  of  the  wheel  on 
the  axis  at  different  velocities,  the  ratings  differ  slightly. 

A  meter  is  rated  by  moving  it  through  still  water  with 
uniform  speed,  and  noting  the  time,  the  number  of  revolutions, 


FIG.  12. —  Current  Meter  Rating  Station  at  U.  S.  Bureau  of  Standards. 


CURRENT    METERS 


35 


and  the  distance  (Figs.  12  and  13).  The  revolutions  per 
second  and  the  velocity  in  feet  per  second  are  afterward  com- 
puted from  these  data.  Many  runs  are  made,  the  speeds  vary- 
ing from  the  least  which  will  cause  the  wheel  to  revolve  to 
several  feet  per  second.  The  results  of  these  runs,  when  plotted 
with  revolutions  per  second  and  velocity  in  feet  per  second  as 
co-ordinates,  locate  the  points  which  define  the  meter  rating 
curve  from  which  the  rating  table  is  prepared. 

The  number  of  revolutions  of  the  meter  wheel  are  indicated 
on  an  electric  recorder;  the  distance  is  obtained  by  an  electrical 
mechanism,  which  is  in  circuit  with  the  meter  wheel,  so  that 
the  exact  distance  for  a  given  number  of  revolutions  is  obtained ; 
and  the  time  is  taken  by  a  chronograph  or  a  stop-watch,  which 
is  started  and  stopped  by  means  of  an  electrical  control. 

Long  experience  has  shown  that  with  good  care  meters  do 
not  readily  lose  their  adjustment.  When  used  carefully,  every 
day,  in  ordinary  service,  a  meter  should  be  rated  once  in  three 
months  as  a  check.  Meters  in  similar  service,  but  used  less 
frequently,  should  be  rated  once  a  year  as  a  check.  For  special 
work  the  meter  should  be  rated  before  beginning  and' as  fre- 
quently as  may  be  necessary  during  the  work. 


FIG.  13. —  Current  Meter  Rating   Station  of  Irrigation  Branch, 
Canadian  Interior  Department. 


36  W.  &  L.  E.  GURLEY,  TROY,  NEW  YORK 

The  details  of  rating  a  current  meter  and  of  preparing  the 
meter  rating  curve  and  table  are  given  in  "River  Discharge."* 
The  rating  should  be  done  at  a  rating  station,  properly  equipped 
to  carry  on  the  work.  The  rating  station  should  be  allowed 
ample  time,  usually  about  two  weeks,  to  make  the  rating  and  to 
compute  the  rating  table.  The  following  table  gives  a  list  of 
rating  stations  and  the  cost  of  rating  a  meter: 

STATION  ADDRESS  RATING  FEE 

U.  S.  Bureau  of  Standards,  Washington,  D.  C.     $10  for  each  head 

Rensselaer  Polytechnic  Institute,   Troy,  N.  Y.  $10  for  each  head 

Worcester  Polytechnic  Institute,    Worcester,  Mass. 
Cornell  University,  Ithaca,  N.  Y. 

University  of  Michigan, 

Naval  Tank,         Ann  Arbor,  Mich. 
Imperial  Valley  Development  Co.,  Calexico,  Cal. 
University  of  Toronto,  Toronto,  Ontario. 

Irrigation  Branch,  Department 

of  the  Interior,  Calgary,  Alberta. 

Theoretically,  the  wheel  of  a  differential-action  meter,  when 
carried  through  still  water,  should  revolve  as  a  wheel  revolves 
in  passing  over  the  ground.  That  is,  in  going  a  given  distance 
it  should  make  practically  the  same  number  of  revolutions, 
regardless  of  speed.  The  rating  of  a  great  many  small  Gurley 
electric  meters  shows  this  number  to  be  from  42  to  44  revolu- 
tions in  going  100  ft. 

The  true  number  of  revolutions  of  the  wheel  should  equal 
the  distance  of  the  run  divided  by  the  effective  circumference 
of  the  wheel  multiplied  by  a  coefficient  which  depends  on  the 
retarding  effect  due  to  the  pressure  on  the  convex  surface  of  the 
cups  and  their  blanketing  effect.  Assuming  the  effective  cir- 
cumference to  be  the  circle  passing  through  the  points  of  the 
cups,  which  is  0.7854  ft.,  and  the  true  number  of  revolutions 
to  be  43^  per  100  ft.  run;  then  the  coefficient  would  be  0.342. 
Although  complete  data  are  not  available  to  confirm  this  theory, 
the  working  of  the  meter  shows  that  it  holds  very  closely  to  it. 

The  foregoing  shows  that  the  theoretical  meter-rating  curve 
is  a  straight  line  passing  through  the  origin.  If  the  true  num- 
ber of  revolutions  made  in  going  100  ft.  is  43^2,  the  equation 
of  this  curve  will  be  X  =  2.3  Y,  where  X  =  velocity,  in  feet 
per  second,  and  Y  :  =  revolutions  per  second. 

*  "  River  Discharge ",  by  Hoyt  and  Grover,  for  sale  by  W.  &  L.  E. 
Gurley,  price  $2.50,  postpaid. 


CURRENT    METERS 


37 


A  study  of  the  rating  curves  of  a  large  number  of  small 
Gurley  meters  shows  that,  as  a  rule,  the  curve  is  made  up  of  two 
straight  lines,  the  extension  of  the  lower  one  joining  the  upper 
one  in  an  angle  between  the  velocities  of  8  and  9  ft.  At  this 
point  there  is  a  slight  increase  in  the  friction  on  the  bearings 
of  the  meter  wheel  and  shaft.  Notwithstanding  this  break  in 
the  curve,  the  observed  curve  parallels  the  theoretical  curve 
very  closely.  The  lower  part  of  the  curve  starts  at  a  velocity 
of  less  than  0.1  ft.  per  second,  which  is  required  to  start  the 
wheel. 

In  using  the  meter,  observation  is  made  of  the  number  of 
seconds  the  wheel  requires  to  make  a  selected  number  of  revo- 
lutions. Therefore,  a  rating  table  is  prepared  for  each  meter, 
giving  the  velocities  per  second  corresponding  to  the  number 
of  revolutions.  The  most  convenient  table  is  prepared  for  5, 
10,  20,  30,  40,  50,  60,  70,  80,  90,  100,  150,  and  200  revolu- 
tions, with  the  times  of  the  runs  ranging  from  40  to  70  seconds, 
giving  velocities  from  0.19  to  11.12  feet  per  second. 

Rating  Table  for  Use  with 

Acoustic  Current  Meter,  No.  616 

This  Table  is  a  mean  ot  the  ratings  of  many  different  meters,  and  will  probably  give 
correct  values  within  one  per  cent,  for  any  meter  of  its  pattern  when  in  good  order. 

The  time  column  is  the  number  of  seconds  that  have  elapsed  during  one  hundred 
revolutions  of  the  wheel,  there  being  ten  revolutions  to  each  rap. 


Time 

Velocity 

Time 

Velocity 

Time 

Velocity 

Time 

Velocity 

1000 

0.30 

111 

1.99 

59 

3.74 

37 

5.94 

666 

0.39 

105 

2.10 

57 

3.85 

36 

6.13 

500 

0.49 

100 

2.20 

56 

3.96 

34 

6.47 

400 

0.59 

95 

2.31 

54 

4.07 

33 

6.67 

333 

0.70 

91 

2.42 

53 

4.18 

32 

6.88 

286 

0.80 

87 

2.53 

51 

4.30 

31 

7.10 

250 

0.90 

83 

2,64 

50 

4.40 

30 

7.33 

222 

1.01 

80 

2.75 

49 

4.49 

29 

7.59 

200 

1.11 

77 

2.86 

48 

4.58 

28 

7.85 

182 

1.22 

74 

2.97 

46 

4.78 

27 

8.14 

167 

1.32 

71 

3.09 

45 

4.88 

26 

8.46 

154 

1.43 

69 

3.19 

44 

5,00 

25 

8.80 

143 

1.54 

67 

3.29 

43 

5.12 

24 

9.17 

133 

1.65 

65 

3.40 

42 

5.24 

23 

9.57 

125 

1.76 

62 

3.54 

40 

5.50 

22 

10.00 

118 

1.88 

61 

3.62 

38 

5.79 

21 

10.47 

38  W.  &  L.  E.  GURLEY,  TROY,  NEW  YORK 


Rating  Table  for  Use  with 

Electric  Current  Meters,  Nos.  617, 621  and  623 

This  Table  is  based  on  the  ratings  of  many  meters.  The  comparison  of  the  rating 
of  meter  No.  623,  both  penta  recording  and  single  count  contact,  show  an  agreement 
with  this  table  within  one  per  cent.  Occasional  ratings  vary  more  than  one  per  cent., 
when  an  individual  rating  table  may  be  prepared. 

[Extract  from  instructions  given  by  the  Water  Resources  Branch  of  the  United 
States  Geological  Survey  to  their  Hydraulic  Engineers.] 


VE 

LOCI 

TY  II 

I  FEE 

,T  PE 

R  SE< 

DOND 

Time 

Time 

in 

in 

Seconds 

5 

10 

20 

30 

40 

50 

60 

70 

80 

90 

100 

150 

200 

Seconds 

Revs. 

?evs. 

Revs. 

Revs. 

Revs. 

Revs. 

Revs. 

Revs. 

Revs. 

Revs. 

Revs. 

Revs. 

Revs. 

40 

0.31 

0.58 

1.13 

.68 

2.23 

2.78 

3.34 

3.90 

4.45 

5.01 

5.56 

8.34 

11.12 

40 

41 

0.30 

0.57 

1.10 

.64 

2.18 

2.71 

3.26 

3.81 

4.34 

4.89 

5.43 

8.14 

10.85 

41 

42 

0.30 

0.56 

1.07 

.60 

2.13 

2.65 

3.18 

3.72 

4.24 

4.77 

5.30 

7.95 

10.59 

42 

43 

0.29 

0.54 

1.05 

.56 

2.08 

2.59 

3.11 

3.63 

4.14 

4.66 

5.18 

7.77 

10.34 

43 

44 

0.28 

0.53 

1.03 

1.53 

2.03 

2.53 

3.04 

3.55 

4.04 

4.55 

5.06 

7.59 

10.10 

44 

45 

0.28 

0.52 

1.01 

1.50 

1.99 

2.48 

2.97 

3.47 

3.95 

4.45 

4.95 

7.42 

9.87 

45 

46 

0.28 

0.51 

0.99 

1.47 

1.95 

2.43 

2.90 

3.39 

3.87 

4.35 

4.84 

7.26 

9.65 

46 

47 

0.27 

0.50 

0.97 

1.44 

1.91 

2.38 

2.84 

3.32 

3.79 

4.26 

4.74 

7.11 

9.45 

47 

48 

0.26 

0.49 

0.95 

1.41 

1.87 

2.33 

2.78 

3.25 

3.71 

4.17 

4.64 

6.96 

9.25 

48 

49 

0.26 

0.48 

0.93 

1.38 

1.83 

2.28 

2.72 

3.18 

3.63 

4.09 

4.54 

6.81 

9.06 

49 

50 

0.26 

0.47 

0.91 

1.35 

1.79 

2.23 

2.67 

3.12 

3.56 

4.01 

4.45 

6.67 

8.89 

50 

51 

0.25 

0.46 

0.90 

1.32 

1.75 

2.19 

2.62 

3.06 

3.49 

3.93 

4.36 

6.54 

8.72 

51 

52 

0.25 

0.46 

0.88 

1.29 

1.72 

2.15 

2.57 

3.00 

3.42 

3.85 

4.28 

6.42 

8.56 

52 

53 

0.24 

0.45 

0.86 

1.27 

1.69 

2.11 

2.52 

2.94 

3.36 

3.78 

4.20 

6.30 

8.40 

53 

54 

0.24 

0.44 

0.85 

1.25 

1.66 

2.07 

2.47 

2.88 

3.30 

3.71 

4.12 

6.18 

8.24 

54 

55 

0.24 

0.43 

0.83 

1.23 

1.63 

2.03 

2.43 

2.83 

3.24 

3.64 

4.05 

6.07 

8.09 

55 

56 

0.23 

0.43 

0.82 

1.21 

1.60 

1.99 

2.39 

2.78 

3.18 

3.58 

3.98 

5.96 

7.95 

56 

57 

0.23 

0.42 

0.80 

1.19 

1.57 

1.96 

2.35 

2.73 

3.12 

3.52 

3.91 

5.86 

7.81 

57 

58 

0.22 

0.41 

0.79 

1.17 

1.54 

1.93 

2.31 

2.68 

3.07 

3.46 

3.84 

5.76 

7.68 

58 

59 

0.22 

0.41 

0.78 

1.15 

1.51 

1.90 

2.27 

2.63 

3.02 

3.40 

3.77 

5.66 

7.55 

59 

60 

0.22 

0.40 

0.77 

1.13 

1.48 

1.87 

2.23 

2.59 

2.97 

3.34 

3.71 

5.56 

7.42 

60 

61 

0.22 

0.39 

0.75 

1.11 

1.46 

1.84 

2.19 

2.55 

2.92 

3.29 

3.65 

5.47 

7.30 

61 

62 

0.21 

0.39 

0.74 

1.09 

1.44 

1.81 

2.16 

2.51 

2.87 

3.24 

3.59 

5.38 

7.18 

62 

63 

0.21 

0.38 

0.73 

1.07 

1.42 

1.78 

2.13 

2.47 

2.82 

3.19 

3.53 

5.30 

7.07 

63 

64 

0.21 

0.38 

0.72 

1.05 

1.40 

1.75 

2.10 

2.43 

2.77 

3.14 

3.48 

5.22 

6.96 

64 

65 

0.20 

0.37 

0.71 

1.03 

1.38 

1.72 

2.07 

2.39 

2.73 

3.09 

3.43 

5.14 

6.85 

65 

66 

0.20 

0.37 

0.70 

1.02 

1.36 

1.69 

2.04 

2.35 

2.69 

3.04 

3.38 

5.06 

6.75 

66 

67 

0.20 

0.36 

0.69 

1.01 

1.34 

1.66 

2.01 

2.32 

2.65 

2.99 

3.33 

4.98 

6.65 

67 

68 

0.20 

0.36 

0.68 

1.00 

1.32 

1.64 

1.98 

2.29 

2.61 

2.95 

3.28 

4.91 

6.55 

68 

69 

0.19 

0.35 

0.67 

0.99 

1.30 

1.62 

1.95 

2.26 

2.57 

2.91 

3.23 

4.84 

6.45 

69 

70 

0.19 

0.35 

0.66 

0.98 

1.28 

1.60 

1.92 

2.23 

2.53 

2.87 

3.18 

4.77 

6.36 

70 

CURRENT    METERS 


39 


TYPES  OF  CURRENT  METER  MEASUREMENTS 

There  are  three  classes  of  current  meter  measurements  in 
common  use.  They  are  named  from  the  means  employed  by 
the  hydrographer  in  reaching  the  measuring  points,  as  follows: 
wading,  cable,  and  bridge  measurements. 

Boat  measurements  are  occasionally  used  (Fig.  14).  The 
boats  used  for  this  work  should  be  especially  equipped  so  that 
all  influence  of  the  boat  on  the  current  measured  is  eliminated. 


FIG.  14. —  Boat  equipped  for  Current  Meter  Measurements. 


FIG.  15. —  Catamaran  equipped  for  Current  Meter  Measurements. 


40  W.  &  L.  E.  GURLEY,  TROY,  NEW  YORK 

Two  ordinary  boats  may  be  quickly  equipped  at  a  small  expense 
as  a  catamaran  (Fig.  15),  from  which  meters  may  be  operated 
with  great  facility,  in  other  than  flood  conditions.  Precise 
results  have  been  obtained  in  smooth  water  from  a  rig  of 
this  kind. 

All  measuring  sections  that  are  to  be  maintained  continu- 
ously should  have  a  fairly  smooth  bed,  a  uniform  velocity  of 
current  not  less  than  0.5  foot  per  second  at  any  stage,  uniformly 
distributed  throughout  the  section,  with  no  strong  eddies,  cross 
currents,  or  boils,  a  permanent  control  assuring  a  constant  rela- 
tion between  gage  height  and  discharge,  and  should  not  be 
subject  to  marked  fluctuations  during  the  measurements.  In 
changing  conditions,  the  flow  past  the  control  is  the  essential 
factor,  because  the  records  of  gage  height  and  the  rating  table 
pertain  to  the  section  at  the  control,  and  not  necessarily  to  the 
section  in  which  the  discharge  measurements  are  made.  A  per- 
manent reef  or  ledge  extending  across  the  stream  (Fig.  16),  a 
short  distance  below  the  edge,  will  control  the  relation  between 
gage  height  and  discharge,  even  though  the  bed  of  the  measur- 
ing section  itself  may  change.  Where  no  natural  control  exists, 
an  artificial  control  (Fig.  17)  may  be  constructed.  In  general, 
it  has  been  found  more  economical  in  the  long  run  to  make 
stream  measurements  where  the  conditions  are  permanent,  even 
though  the  cost  may  be  greater  than  if  the  measurements  were 
made  at  a  more  easily  accessible  point,  but  with  changing 
conditions. 


CURRENT    METERS 


41 


FIG.  16.— Natural  Control  of  a  Stream. 


FIG.  17.— Artificial  Control  of  a  Stream. 


42  W.  &  L.  E.  GURLEY,  TROY,  NEW  YORK 


WADING    MEASUREMENTS 

Measurements  are  made  by  wading  (Fig.  18),  wherever 
the  depth  and  velocity  of  the  stream  permit  the  hydrographer 
to  reach  all  measuring  points  and  to  hold  the  meter  in  position. 

To  mark  the  points  at  which  observations  are  taken,  it  is 
customary  to  stretch  a  marking  line  across  the  stream.  For 
this  purpose  a  metallic  tape  may  be  stretched  between  iron  rods 
that  have  slits  in  their  ends;  when  there  is  a  little  wind,  or  for 
lengths  not  exceeding  200  feet,  a  braided  silk  fish  line  may 
be  used.  The  line  should  be  prepared  for  such  use  by  marking 
it  off  while  well  stretched,  into  short  lengths,  say  four  feet  each, 
with  black  paint,  using  special  marks  every  20  feet.  When  put 
in  place  for  use  the  line  is  stretched  until  divisions  are  of  the 
correct  length  when  checked  with  a  steel  tape.  For  greater 
lengths  a  galvanized  telephone  wire,  or  a  twisted  smooth  fence 
wire,  may  be  used,  the  size  of  the  wire  being  properly  propor- 
tioned to  the  span. 

The  tape  or  the  fish  line  which  forms  part  of  the  hydrog- 
rapher's  kit  is  kept  stretched  across  the  stream  only  during  the 
measurement,  but  wire  markers  are  ordinarily  left  in  place  at 
the  station. 

Measurements  should  be  made  according  to  the  condition 
of  roughness  of  the  stream  bed.  Under  ordinary  conditions  the 
two-tenth  and  eight-tenth  method  should  be  used  if  the  meter 
can  be  properly  submerged  for  the  upper  measurements.  In 
shallow  water  near  the  bank  the  six-tenth  method  may  be  used. 
If  a  stream  is  very  shallow  and  its  bed  rough,  the  position  of 
the  thread  of  mean  velocity  may  rise  to  one  half  of  the  depth. 
The  hydrographer  using  the  wading  method  can  get  his  sound- 
ings accurately  and  can  set  his  meter  exactly  at  the  proper  posi- 
tions. This  method  does  not  confine  all  measurements  to  a  single 
section,  but  permits  the  hydrographer  to  select  the  most  suitable 
section  each  time  a  measurement  is  made  and  is  especially  use- 
ful on  small  streams  or  at  low  stages.  See  page  51. 

In  making  such  measurements,  the  engineer  should  stand 
below  the  tape  line  and  to  one  side  of  the  meter  (Fig.  19),  in 
order  that  he  may  not  disturb  its  action. 


CURRENT    METERS 


43 


FIG.  18. —  Wading  Measurement. 


FIG.  19. —  Typical  Gaging  Station  for  Wading  Measurement. 


44  W.  &  L.  E.  GURLEY,  TROY,  NEW  YORK 


MEASUREMENTS   FROM   CABLES 

Cables  (Figs.  20,  21,  22,  23  and  24),  afford  ready  means 
of  gaging  streams  up  to  a  thousand  feet  in  width,  which  includes 
most  cases.  The  advantage  in  using  a  cable  lies  in  the  fact 
that  the  station  may  be  placed  at  the  most  favorable  location 
independently  of  existing  structures.  Complete  details  for 
installing  cable  stations  are  given  in  (U.  S.  Geological  Survey) 
Water  Supply  Paper  No.  371. 

At  cable  stations  the  meter  is  suspended  by  means  of  the 
meter  cable  of  No.  16  old  code  double  insulated  show  window 
cord,  which  is  thick  enough  to  afford  a  comfortable  grip  and 
not  cut  the  hands.  A  piece  of  twisted  sash  cord,  or  a  specially 
prepared  meter  cord,  carrying  in  the  center  an  insulated  wire 
and  long  enough  to  reach  from  the  bottom  of  the  stream  to  the 
surface  of  the  water,  is  used  between  the  top  of  the  meter  hanger 
and  the  meter  cord  in  order  to  minimize  the  effect  of  the  cur- 
rent. (See  Fig.  1). 

In  swift  water  a  head  line  is  used  to  hold  the  meter  in  a 
vertical  position.  It  is  made  of  a  piece  of  No.  10  galvanized 
iron  wire,  long  enough  to  reach  from  the  top  of  the  meter  hanger, 
to  which  one  end  of  it  is  attached,  to  a  rope  above  the  surface. 
The  rope  is  carried  to  pulleys  on  a  stay  line  some  distance  up- 
stream, and  back  to  the  car.  The  hydrographer  adjusts  the 
stay  line  as  required.  (See  Fig.  21). 

At  cable  stations  it  is  customary  to  use  the  two-tenth  and 
eight-tenth  method,  taking  the  observation  every  5  or  10  feet, 
according  to  the  width  of  the  stream. 


FIG.  20. —  Current   Meter  Gaging   Station. 


CURRENT    METERS 


45 


FIG.  21. —  Typical  Current  Meter  Gaging  Station  with 
Automatic  Water  Stage  Register. 


FIG.  22. —  Current  Meter  Observers  in  Cable  Car. 


46  W.  &  L.  E.  GURLEY,  TROY,  NEW  YORK 


FIG.  23. —  Russian  Government  Engineers  using  Gurley 
Current  Meters  in  Turkestan. 


CURRENT    METERS 


47 


MEASUREMENTS  FROM  BRIDGES 

Occasionally  bridges  may  be  found  well  located  as  regards 
stream  gaging.  In  such  cases  it  is  customary  to  mark  off 
measuring  points  with  paint  on  the  rail  or  string  piece  of  the 
bridge.  The  initial  point  of  the  series  should  be  carefully 
referred  to  a  permanent  object  and  a  careful  description  of  the 
location  written  in  the  note-book. 

A  stayline  is  usually  stretched  above  the  bridge  to  be  used 
when  high  velocities  prevail.  Measurements  from  bridges  are 
made  as  from  cables. 


FIG.  24. —  Typical  Gaging  Station  for  Bridge  Measurement. 


48     W.  &  L.  E.  GURLEY,  TROY,  NEW  YORK 

USE  OF  THE  CURRENT  METER 

The  quantity  of  water  flowing  in  a  stream  is  found  by  means 
of  a  current  meter,  by  subdividing  the  cross-section  of  the  stream 
into  partial  areas  or  panels  and  by  multiplying  each  partial  area 
by  the  mean  velocity  of  the  water  that  flows  past  each  partial 
section,  then  taking  the  sum  of  all  such  products. 

The  cross-section  of  the  stream  is  subdivided  by  verticals 
taken  sufficiently  close  together  to  define  the  area  accurately, 
as  in  cross-sectioning  earthwork;  that  is  to  say,  the  lines  (Fig. 
24)  on  the  stream  bed  between  consecutive  verticals  should  be 
essentially  straight.  On  streams  with  smooth  beds  the  points  of 
observation  will  occur  at  regular  intervals,  but  the  method  of 
computing  the  partial  areas  is  not  dependent  on  the  distance 
apart  of  the  verticals.  The  length  of  each  vertical  in  feet  is 
measured  by  sounding  either  with  a  sounding  rod,  using  an 
engineer's  level  on  the  bank  if  desired,  or  by  a  weight  and  line. 

The  mean  velocity  in  each  partial  area  is  the  average  of  the 
velocities  in  the  verticals  that  bound  the  area.  Velocities  are 
measured  in  feet  per  second;  hence,  the  product  of  the  partial 
area  by  the  mean  velocities  will  be  in  cubic  feet  per  second. 
One  cubic  foot  per  second,  is  the  quantity  of  water  that  will  flow 
past  a  section  of  the  stream  one  foot  wide  and  one  foot  deep, 
with  a  velocity  of  one  foot  per  second. 

SOUNDINGS 

Rods  for  sounding  should  be  of  a  convenient  length  for 
handling  and  may  be  made  either  of  wood  or  of  metal.  Wooden 
rods  should  be  thin  and  sharpened  on  the  edges,  a  section  3 
inches  wide  and  1/4  incn  thick  being  appropriate  for  a  length 
not  exceeding  five  feet.  Longer  sounding  rods  may  be  made 
from  2x4  inch  lumber,  the  edges  being  worked  so  that  the 
cross  section  of  the  rod  has  the  same  shape  as  the  hull  of  a  ship. 
The  correct  style  of  metal  rod  (Fig.  6)  is  furnished  with  all 
Gurley  meters. 

Where  there  is  no  danger  of  damaging  the  meter,  the  sound- 
ings are  taken  with  the  meter  on  the  rod  in  all  wading  measure- 
ments. It  should  be  noted  that  the  zero  of  the  graduations  on 
the  rods  is  at  the  center  of  the  cups,  so  that  a  distance  equal  to 
the  distance  from  the  center  of  the  cup,  to  the  bottom  of  the  yoke 


CURRENT    METERS  49 

should  be  added  to  each  reading  on  the  rod  when  sounding.  In 
order  to  prevent  the  sounding  rod  sinking  into  the  bed  of  the 
stream,  it  should  be  provided  with  a  shoe  at  least  3  inches  in 
diameter.  When  using  the  rod  care  should  always  be  taken 
that  the  reading  is  not  too  high,  on  account  of  the  impinging 
water  running  up  the  rod.  If  a  sounding  rod  or  line  is  used, 
the  meter  not  being  attached,  the  soundings  are  made  at  all 
measuring  points  before  observing  the  velocities. 

The  soundings  from  bridges  or  cables  are  usually  made  with 
the  weight  and  line,  and  in  such  cases,  with  swift  water,  a  head 
line  is  used  to  hold  the  meter  in  a  vertical  position  to  prevent 
error,  due  to  the  weight  being  carried  down  the  stream  or  to  the 
bowing  of  the  line.  Soundings  with  the  line  are  most  readily 
taken  as  follows:  The  weight  and  line  are  lowered  until  the 
weight  touches  the  bed  of  the  river  directly  under  the  measuring 
point  and,  with  the  line  taut,  a  point  is  marked  on  it  by  grasping 
it  with  the  fingers  opposite  a  fixed  point  on  the  bridge  or  car; 
the  weight  is  then  raised  until  it  just  touches  the  surface  of  the 
water  and  the  length  of  the  sounding  line  that  passes  the  fixed 
point  is  measured.  This  length  is  measured  by  placing  the  end 
of  a  linen  or  metallic  tape  opposite  the  fixed  starting  point  on 
the  sounding  line,  grasping  both  the  line  and  the  tape  in  the 
hands,  and  drawing  up  the  line  and  tape  without  permitting 
them  to  slip  on  each  other  until  the  weight  reaches  the  surface 
of  the  water.  The  length  of  line  thus  drawn  up,  representing 
the  depth  of  the  water,  is  then  read  directly  from  the  tape.  This 
measurement  can  usually  be  made  by  one  person  with  sufficient 
accuracy,  even  when  the  water  is  from  10  to  12  feet  deep.  On 
the  U.  S.  Geological  Survey  standard  cable  car  a  scale  is  fixed 
to  the  frame  of  the  car  for  measuring  the  depth. 

VELOCITY   OBSERVATIONS 

In  making  a  velocity  measurement,  the  meter  is  held  at  the 
point  in  the  stream  at  which  it  is  desired  to  ascertain  the  velocity 
of  the  current.  The  wheel  is  allowed  to  revolve  for  a  few 
seconds,  in  order  that  it  may  adjust  itself  to  the  current,  after 
which  the  time  for  a  given  number  of  revolutions  is  noted,  and 
the  velocity  is  obtained  from  the  rating  table  for  the  meter. 
The  run  should  be  from  40  to  70  sec. ;  the  number  of  revolutions 


50  W.  &  L.  E.  GURLEY,  TROY,  NEW  YORK 

observed,  depending  on  the  velocity  of  the  water,  should  be  one 
of  those  for  which  the  meter  rating  table  has  been  prepared. 
A  check  on  the  work  is  made  by  repeating  the  observation.  If 
the  run  is  not  repeated,  a  check  can  be  obtained  by  noting  men- 
tally the  time  for  each  five  revolutions.  A  stop-watch  is  used 
for  observing  the  time,  and  the  record  is  made  to  the  nearest  /^ 
second.  The  observations  should  be  recorded  on  properly 
prepared  forms.  See  pages  54,  55,  and  60. 

In  discharge  measurements,  the  mean  horizontal  velocity  in 
a  vertical  at  the  measuring  point  is  desired.  Various  methods 
are  used  for  this  determination,  among  which  the  following  four 
are  most  common:  (a)  Vertical  velocity-curve  method,  (b)  two- 
tenth  and  eight-tenth-depth  method,  (c)  six-tenth-depth  method, 
and  (d)  sub-surface  method. 

(a). —  By  the  vertical  velocity-curve  method,  measurements 
of  horizontal  velocity  are  usually  made  just  beneath  the  surface, 
at  0.5  ft.  below  the  surface,  and  at  each  fifth  to  each  tenth  of 
the  depth  from  the  surface  to  the  bed  of  the  stream,  and  as  near 
the  bottom  as  possible.  These  measured  velocities,  when 
plotted  with  depths  as  ordinates  and  velocities  as  abscissas, 
define  for  each  vertical,  the  vertical  velocity-curve  which  shows 
the  velocity  at  every  point  in  the  vertical,  and  from  which  the 
mean  velocity  can  be  determined  by  dividing  the  area  bounded 
by  the  curve,  the  top  and  bottom  ordinates,  and  the  axis  of  depth 
by  the  total  depth.  The  area  may  be  found  by  planimeter,  or 
by  Simpson's  rule  or  Durand's  rule*,  which  will  be  found  in 
books  on  elementary  mechanics. 

Studies  of  vertical  velocity-curves  taken  on  many  streams 
under  various  conditions  of  depth,  velocity,  and  roughness  of 
bed,  show  that  these  vertical  velocity-curves  have  approximately 
the  form  of  a  parabola  in  which  the  axis,  coinciding  with  the 
filament  of  maximum  velocity,  is  parallel  with  the  surface  and 
is  in  general  situated  between  the  surface  and  one-third  of  the 
depth  of  the  water.  From  the  maximum  the  velocity  decreases 
gradually  upward  to  the  surface  and  downward  nearly  to  the 
bottom,  where  it  changes  more  rapidly  on  account  of  the  friction 
on  the  bed.  As  the  depth  and  velocity  increase,  the  curve 
approaches  a  vertical  line  as  its  limiting  position. 

*Haneock,  Applied  Mechanics  for  Engineers. 


CURRENT    METERS 51 

The  vertical  velocity-curve  method  is  valuable  as  a  basis  for 
the  comparison  of  all  other  methods,  for  determining  the  co- 
efficients to  be  used  in  reducing  the  values  obtained  by  other 
methods  to  the  true  value,  for  use  under  new  and  unusual  con- 
ditions of  flow,  and  for  measurements  under  ice. 

(b). —  In  the  two-tenths-eight-tenths  method,  observations 
of  velocity  are  taken  at  two  points  located  at  depths  of  the  sur- 
face of  0.2  and  0.8  of  the  depth  in  the  vertical  in  which  the 
measurement  is  made.  The  mean  velocity  is  taken  as  the  mean 
of  the  velocities  at  these  two  points.  This  method  is  based  on  the 
theory*  that  the  vertical  velocity-curve  is  a  parabola,  as  already 
stated,  in  which  case  the  mean  of  the  ordinates  at  0.2114  and 
0.7886  depth  below  the  surface  gives  the  mean  ordinate.  This 
is  mathematically  true  for  any  parabola  and  for  any  position 
of  the  thread  of  maximum  velocity.  A  study  of  a  large  num- 
ber of  vertical  velocity-curves  shows  that  this  holds  true  in 
Nature;  and  experience  proves  that  this  method  gives  more  con- 
sistent results  than  any  of  the  others  except  the  vertical 
velocity-curve  method. 

(c). —  In  the  sixth-tenth  method,  the  observation  of  the 
velocity  is  taken  at  a  depth  from  the  surface  equal  to  0.6  of  the 
depth  of  the  stream.  This  method  is  also  based  on  the  theory** 
that  the  vertical  velocity-curve  is  a  parabola  with  the  maximum 
abscissa  between  zero  and  one-third  of  the  depth,  in  which  case 
the  mean  ordinate  is  between  0.58  and  0.67  of  the  depth  from 
the  surface.  A  study  of  a  large  number  of  vertical  velocity- 
curve  measurements  shows  that  the  mean  depth  of  the  mean 
velocity  is  approximately  0.6  of  the  depth.  This  method  has 
the  advantage  of  requiring  a  less  number  of  velocity  observa- 
tions, and  gives  very  satisfactory  results,  but  not  as  good  as 
those  obtained  by  the  two-tenths-eight-tenths  method. 

(d). —  In  the  sub-surface  method,  the  measurement  of 
velocity  is  made  at  from  0.5  to  1  ft.  below  the  surface,  depend- 
ing on  the  depth  of  the  stream.  The  meter  is  held  at  sufficient 
depth  to  be  out  of  any  surface  disturbance.  When  this  method 
is  used,  the  velocity  must  be  reduced  by  a  coefficient  to  obtain 

*See  "River  Discharge,"  page  54. 

**See  F.  W.  Hanna,  M.  Am.  Soc.  C.  E.,  Engineering  News,  January 
11,  1906. 


52  W.  &  L.  E.  GURLEY,  TROY,  NEW  YORK 

the  mean  velocity.  This  coefficient  varies  from  78  to  98%, 
depending  on  the  depth  and  the  velocity  of  the  stream.  The 
deeper  the  stream  and  the  greater  the  velocity,  the  greater  the 
coefficient.  For  average  streams  in  moderate  freshets,  a  co- 
efficient of  90%  should  be  used;  in  flood  work,  a  coefficient  of 
from  90  to  95% ;  and  for  streams  at  ordinary  stages,  from  85 
to  90%. 

Independent  discharge  measurements,  as  a  rule,  are  of  but 
little  value  in  hydraulic  work  unless  they  are  taken  at  stages 
which  are  known  to  be  either  extremely  low  or  extremely  high. 
In  ordinary  work  it  is  necessary  to  make  a  series  of  measure- 
ments which,  with  daily  gage  heights  of  the  flow  of  the  stream, 
make  possible  the  computation  of  the  total  flow  of  the  stream 
and  also  its  distribution.  In  connection  with  the  individual 
measurements,  therefore,  it  is  necessary  to  observe  gage  heights 
and  take  full  notes  of  the  conditions  under  which  the  measure- 
ments are  made,  in  order  to  enable  the  construction  of  a  station 
rating  curve  and  estimate  the  daily  discharge. 

RECORDING  THE  DATA 

The  observations  should  be  noted  at  the  time  they  are  made 
on  properly  prepared  forms  for  discharge  measurements,  shown 
on  pages  54,  55  and  60. 

There  should  be  shown  in  these  notes: 
In  column 

1.  The  distance  from  the  initial  point  of  each  vertical  in 
which  soundings  and  velocity  observations  were  made.       The 
distance  between   successive   stations   gives   the  width   of  the 
partial  area.     The  widths  are  written  in  column  11. 

2.  The  depth  of  water  in  the  vertical  at  which  the  observa- 
tion was  made,  as  determined  by  the  sounding. 

3.  The  depth  from  the  surface  down  to  that  point  in  the 
vertical  at  which  the  velocity  observation  was  made.    This  item 
is  computed  mentally  in  the  field  before  making  the  velocity 
observation,  and  will  be  two-tenths,  six-tenths,  eight-tenths,  etc., 
of  the  depth  recorded  in  column  2,  depending  on  the  method 
used  in  making  the  measurement. 


CURRENT    METERS  53 

4.  The  duration  of  the  velocity  observation  in  seconds  as 
determined  by  means  of  the  stop-watch. 

5.  The  number  of  revolutions  of  the  cups  in  the  time  noted 
in  column  4.     For  convenience  in  computing,  the  number  of 
revolutions  should  be  one  of  those  appearing  in  the  rating  table 
for  the  meter  used. 

Computation  of  the  quantities  to  fill  in  the  remaining  col- 
umns of  the  form  are  made  as  follows: 

Column 

6.  Shows  the  velocity  of  the  water  as  given  by  the  meter 
at  the  point  noted  in  column  3,  and  is  taken  from  that  column 
of  the  rating  table  at  the  head  of  which  appears  the  number  of 
revolutions  shown  in  column  5,  opposite  the  number  of  seconds, 
noted  in  column  4.     Columns  3,  4,  5  and  6  are  completely  filled 
in  for  each  line  on  which  an  observation  is  noted. 

7.  The  mean  velocity  in  the  vertical  at  any  measuring 
point  is  the  average  of  the  velocity  observations  made  in  that 
vertical.     When  a  single  velocity  observation  is  made  in  any 
vertical  the  value  shown  in  column  7  will  be  the  same  as  that 
shown  in  column  6. 

8.  To  get  the  mean  in  the  section,  or  partial  area,  take 
values  for  consecutive  verticals  from  column  7  and  write  their 
average  in  column  8. 

9.  The  number  of  square  feet  in  each  section  or  partial 
area  shown  in  this  column  is  the  product  of  the  mean  depth 
given  in  column  10,  and  the  width  as  given  in  column  11,  ob- 
tained from  notes  in  column  1  as  explained  for  that  column. 

10.  The  mean  depth  of  each  partial  area  is  computed  by 
averaging  the  depth  (column  2)  at  each  vertical  with  the  depth 
(column  2)  at  the  following  vertical. 

11.  The  width  is  the  difference  between  the  distances  from 
the  initial  point  of  consecutive  verticals. 

12.  The  discharge  for  each  section  or  partial  area  is  the 
product  of  factors  given  in  columns  8  and  9. 

Not  more  than  three  significant  figures  should  be  used  in 
the  computations. 

Columns  9  and  12  are  added  and  the  sum  of  the  products 
in  column  12  divided  by  those  in  column  9  to  get  the  mean 


54  W.  &  L.  E.  GURLEY,  TROY,  NEW  YORK 


FORM    NO. 
H-325 


Date. 


PUBLISHED    BY 

W.  &.   L.   E.  GURLEY 

Engineering  Instrument  Makers 

TROY      N.    Y. 

^_^^^^_________  FILE 

DISCHARGE   MEASUREMENT  NOTES 

,  191 No.  of  Meas. 


River  at    y  State  of. 

Creek  near 


Width Area Mean  Vel Cor.  M.  G.  H.. 

Party Disch. 

Staff  gage,  checked  with  level  and  found 


Gage  reading 

Time 

Station 







Weighted  mear 
Correct 

i  G   Ht 

...ft. 

"     "                            ....ft. 

Chain  length,  checked  with  steel  tape,  12-lb.   pull,  found ft. 

"         "        changed  to ft.  at o'clock.      Correct  length ft. 

"         '*        corrected  on  basis  of  levels  to....  ft.  at o'clock. 

Meter  No. 

Date  rated 

Meas. began ;  ended 

Time  of  meas.    (hrs)  Method 

No.  meas.  see's Coef 

Av.  width  sec Av.  depth 

G.  Ht.  change  (total.)  

%  diff.by rating  table. 

Meas.  from  cable,  bridge,  boat,  wading.      Meas.  at ft    above,   below  gage. 

If  not  at  regular  section  note  location  and  conditions 

Area  from  soundings  (date) 

Method  of  suspension , Stay  wire Approx.  dist.  to  W.  S 

Arrangement  of  weights  and  meter;  top  hole ;  middle  hole ;  bottom   hole 

Gage  inspected,  found .....      Cable  inspected,  found , 

Distance  apart  of  measuring  points  verified  with  steel  tape  and  found 

Wind upstr.,  downstr.,  across.     Angle  of  current 

Observer  seen G.  Ht.  book  inspected 

Examine  station  locality  and  report  any  abnormal  conditions  which  might  change  relation  of 
G.  Ht.  to  disch.,  e.  g.,  change  of  control;  ice  or  debris  on  control ;  backwater  from;  condition 
of  station  eauioment.... 


Sheet  No.  1  of sheets,      [f  in  ufficient  space,  use  back  of  sheet,  with  reference  letters, 

FIG.  25. —  Form  No.  H-325.  Discharge  Measurement,  General  Data 


CURRENT    METERS 


55 


FORM     NO.  PUBLISHED    BY 

H-326  W.  4.  L.   E.  GURLEY 

Engineering  Instrument  Makers 
TROY.  N.  Y..   U     S.  A. 

DISCHARGE   MEASUREMENT  NOTES 

192  No.  of  Meas. 


River,    at  

Dist. 
from 
initial 
point 

Depth 

Depth 
of  ob- 
servat. 

Time 
in  sec- 
onds 

Rev- 
olu- 
tions 

VELOCITY 

Area 

Mean 
Depth 

Width 

Discharge 

At 
point 

Mean 
in  ver- 
tical 

Mean 
in  Sec- 
tion' 

Totals 

No. 


of 


Sheets.      Comp.  by 


Chk.  by 


FIG.   26. —  Form   No.   H-326,   Current  Meter  Notes. 


56  W.  &  L.  E.  GURLEY,  TROY,  NEW  YORK 

velocity  in  the  entire  cross-section.  The  mean  velocity,  total 
area  and  total  discharge,  are  noted  in  the  appropriate  place  on 
the  form. 

The  preceding  method  of  calculation  may  be  summed  up  in 
the  following  expression: 


FIG.  27 — Cross-Section  of  Stream  to  Illustrate  Discharge 
Measurement  Computation. 


In  this  formula,  do,  di,  d2 ....  dn  and  vo,  vi,  V2 ....  vn  are  the 
depths  and  velocities  at  the  respective  measuring  sections  ao,  ai, 
02 ....  an,  which  are  spaced  at  the  distances  h,  L>,  Is ....  In,  which 
is  easily  used  as  explained  above  and  which  gives  accurate 
results.* 

The  field  notes  for  each  measurement,  including  a  properly 
filled  in  copy  of  sheet  1,  should  be  fastened  together  securely. 
This  form,  which  is  shown  on  page  54,  should  be  filled  in  as 
soon  as  the  field  notes  have  been  computed.  The  computations 
should  be  made  before  leaving  the  station.  If  the  measure- 
ment does  not  plot  within  the  limit  of  precision  established  for 
the  work,  the  computation  should  be  carefully  reviewed  and  if 
necessary  the  measurement  should  be  repeated. 

It  is  of  great  importance  to  use  the  correct  gage  height 
^hen  plotting  a  measurement.  The  gage  height  should  be  read 
at  frequent  intervals  during  the  measurement,  and  the  reading 

*For  a  discussion  of  computation  of  discharge  measurements  by  various 
formulas,  see  article  by  Mr.  J.  C.  Stevens,  M.  Am.  Soc.  C.  E.,  in  Engineering 
News,  June  25,  1908. 


CURRENT    METERS 


57 


noted,  together  with  the  time.  The  vertical  at  which  measure- 
ment is  being  made  at  the  time  of  reading  the  gage  should  also 
be  shown  in  the  notes.  At  a  recording  gage  station  this  distance 
from  the  initial  point  at  which  measurement  is  being  made  at 
even  hours  (or  fractions  thereof)  if  the  stage  is  changing,  is 
noted  as  the  measurement  progresses,  and  the  corresponding 
gage  heights  are  later  taken  from  the  automatic  register.  At 
non-recording  stations,  the  gage  height  is  noted  similarly  by 
reading  either  the  gage  itself,  or  else  distances  above  or  below 
a  more  conveniently  placed  reference  point,  whose  index  is  in 
known  relation  to  the  gage  height. 

To  give  proper  weight  to  the  gage  height  readings,  take  the 
average  of  the  first  and  second  gage  heights  and  multiply  that 
average  by  the  discharge  that  has  been  computed  for  that  part 
of  the  cross-section  between  the  vertical  in  which  observation 
was  made  at  the  time  of  reading  the  first  gage  height,  and  the 
vertical  corresponding  to  the  time  reading  of  the  second  gage 
height.  Proceed  similarly  for  the  second  and  third  gage  heights, 
third  and  fourth,  fourth  and  fifth,  and  so  on,  multiplying  each 
average  gage  height  by  the  corresponding  partial  discharge. 
Sum  up  all  the  products  of  average  gage  height  and  partial 
discharge  and  divide  this  sum  by  the  total  discharge  as  com- 
puted by  adding  up  column  12.  The  quotient  is  the  required 
weighted  mean  gage  height. 


FIG.  28 — Winter  Measurement. 


CURRENT    METERS  59 


LOW    WATER    MEASUREMENTS 

At  many  stations  the  velocity  of  the  river  at  low  stages  is  so 
small  that  it  may  be  advisable  to  find  a  section  nearby  in  which 
the  meter  measurement  may  be  made  by  wading.  For  such 
measurements,  the  meter  on  the  rod  (Fig.  3)  is  the  most 
satisfactory. 

In  order  to  obtain  a  suitable  section,  it  may  be  necessary 
to  cut  off  part  of  the  flow  by  damming  the  stream  and  modify- 
ing the  channel  so  as  to  get  sufficient  depth  and  velocity  for 
measuring. 

MEASUREMENTS  UNDER  ICE 

When  a  discharge  measurement  is  to  be  made  under  ice,  it 
is  first  necessary  to  find  a  good  measuring  section.  Such  a 
reconnoissance  can  best  be  made  by  a  hydrographer  who  is 
familiar  with  the  stream  and  who  knows  where  he  will  find 
sections  of  the  stream  with  smooth  beds. 

A  hole  is  first  chopped  through  the  ice  at  the  center  of  the 
stream  at  a  section  being  investigated.  If  this  hole  shows  that 
little  or  no  slush  ice  is  present,  and  the  velocity  is  measurable, 
further  investigations  should  be  made  at  each  side.  It  has  been 
found  that  sections  free  of  slush  or  anchor  ice  are  most  com- 
monly found  just  above  an  open  place  on  the  river. 

After  the  measuring  section  has  been  selected  a  hole  is 
chopped  through  the  ice  at  each  measuring  point,  and  the  depth 
and  velocity  determined  with  the  meter  on  the  rod.  Where  the 
depth  and  velocity  are  too  great  the  work  will  have  to  be  done 
with  the  meter  suspended  on  the  meter  cable. 

Ice  measurements  are  usually  made  by  the  .2  and  .8  method, 
and  sometimes  by  vertical  curves.  The  soundings  should  be 
made  to  determine  the  depth  from  the  bottom  of  the  ice  to  the 
bed  of  the  stream  and  the  meter  observations  taken  at  .2  and 
.8  of  this  depth.  In  all  other  respects  ice  measurements  are 
made  and  computed  in  the  same  way  as  open  water  measure- 
ments. 

The  special  jointed  ice  chisel,  ice-measuring  stick  and 
carrying  bag,  generally  used  in  connection  with  ice  measure- 
ments, are  illustrated  in  Fig.  33. 


60  W.  &  L.  E.  GURLEY,  TROY,  NEW  YORK 


©.2  depth      —    -- 


'    =(c-b)x.2+b  3 


:^^>^^w^ 


OBSERVATIONS 

)istance 
from 
initial 

point 

Thickness 
of  ice 

Total  depth 
of  water 

Depth  of 
meter  from 
water  surface 

Time 
in 
seconds 

Revolutions 

Water  surface 
to 
bottom  of  ice 

Effective 
water  depth 

0 

10 

a 
-b 

C 

c-T> 

(c-b)x.2+b 
(c-b)x5+b 
(c-b)*.8+b 

15 

_          J 

FIG.  32 — Diagram  indicating  notation  used  in  making  Discharge 
Measurements  under  Ice,  with  Form  for  Notes. 


The  notation  and  a  form  for  recording  the  data  are  illus- 
trated in  Fig.  32.  The  remaining  seven  columns  are  similar  to 
those  in  Form  No.  H-326  (See  page  55). 


CURRENT    METERS 


61 


Solid 


FIG.  33— Ice  Chisel,  Ice  Measuring  Stick,  and  Bag. 


FIG.  34 — Winter  Measurement. 


62  W.  &  L.  E.  GURLEY,  TROY,  NEW  YORK 


MEASUREMENTS   IN  ARTIFICIAL   CHANNELS 

Current  meter  measurements  of  the  flow  of  water  in  artificial 
channels  must  be  made  with  special  care,  as  the  laws  of  flow 
for  open  channels  are  not  always  applicable  to  artificial  ones, 
because  the  water  level  may  be  subjected  to  disturbing  influ- 
ences such  as  undercurrents  caused  by  intakes  and  outlets  at 
rapid  velocities. 

Current  meters  have  been  employed  in  measuring  the  flow 
in  large  conduits.  In  such  cases  apparatus  designed  to  hold 
the  meter  at  a  definite  point  in  the  cross-section  has  been  used. 
The  description  of  such  apparatus  will  be  found  in  the  Transac- 
tions of  the  American  Society  of  Civil  Engineers,  1910,  Vol.  66. 

Current  meters  have  also  been  used  successfully  for 
measuring  the  flow  of  sanitary  sewers.  Details  of  this  work 
are  given  on  page  142. 


ACCURACY  AND  RELIABILITY  OF  THE 
CURRENT  METER 

When  considering  the  accuracy  of  results  obtained  by  the 
current  meter,  account  should  be  taken  of  the  use  to  be  made 
of  the  data.  It  must  be  remembered  that  both  the  total  flow  of 
the  stream  and  its  distribution  over  the  drainage  area  are  con- 
stantly changing,  and  that  the  conditions  over  the  drainage  area 
are  constantly  changing,  and  that  the  conditions  existing  at  any 
given  time  will  probably  never  occur  again.  The  flow  which 
may  be  expected  in  any  stream,  therefore,  can  be  determined 
only  by  studying  a  series  of  records  extending  over  a  long 
period;  for  this  reason  the  degree  of  refinement  with  which  the 
measurements  are  made  should  be  appropriate  to  the  use  to 
which  they  are  to  be  put. 

As  with  most  instruments,  the  accuracy  and  reliability  of 
the  current  meter  depend  largely  on  the  care  taken  in  the 
measurement  and  the  propriety  of  the  method  used. 


CURRENT    METERS 63 

SELECTION   AND    LOCATION    OF    GAGING    STATIONS 

RECONNOISSANCE 

To  obtain  the  best  results  with  a  current  meter,  stations 
should  be  located  only  at  sites  well  adapted  to  its  use.  The 
same  careful  attention  should  be  given  to  the  selection  of  a 
current  meter  station  as  is  given  in  establishing  a  system  of 
control  points  for  a  topographic  survey,  in  which  case  the 
entire  problem  is  considered  from  all  view  points,  only  such 
control  points  being  located  as  will  give  consistent  and 
accurate  results. 

The  final  location  of  the  gaging  station  and  the  choice  of 
equipment  to  be  installed  will  depend  very  largely  on  a  thorough 
reconnoissance.  This  work  is  of  equal,  if  not  greater,  impor- 
tance than  any  other  detail  connected  with  the  location  of  a 
gaging  station.  It  should  be  performed  by  an  engineer  exper- 
ienced in  stream  gaging  work.  Poor  results  obtained  at  many 
stations  may  be  traced  directly  to  the  fact  that  such  stations 
are  not  properly  located. 

When  selecting  and  equipping  a  station,  while  considering 
the  present  use  of  the  data  to  be  obtained  there,  the  importance 
of  all  possible  uses  for  which  the  records  may  be  required  in 
the  future,  under  changed  conditions,  should  be  kept  well  in 
mind,  and  all  the  requirements  should  be  coordinated  as  com- 
pletely as  circumstances  permit. 

If  the  greatest  immediate  value  of  the  data  is  for  a  power 
study  in  a  given  drainage  area,  locate  at  or  near  the  center  of 
the  power  zone  a  primary  or  base  station,  and  elsewhere  as 
many  secondary  stations  as  may  be  necessary.  For  this  par- 
ticular case,  as  in  any  other  water  supply  problem,  the  base 
station  should  be  placed  at  the  strategic  point  on  the  main 
stream,  and  all  data  collected  in  the  basin  should  be  compared 
with  the  data  obtained  at  the  base  station. 

As  the  object  of  the  reconnoissance  is  to  find  the  best  loca- 
tion that  will  furnish  the  desired  data,  it  is  well  before  locating 
the  primary  station  to  examine  the  locality  carefully  during 
various  stages  of  flow,  considering  the  stream  under  ice  con- 
ditions, as  well  as  during  the  summer  season.  At  low  stages 
the  bed  and  the  minimum  velocity  can  be  examined,  and  some 


64  W.  &  L.  E.  GURLEY,  TROY,  NEW  YORK 

estimate  of  high  water  conditions  can  also  be  made,  while  at 
medium  and  high  stages  it  is  usually  impossible  to  examine  the 
bed  or  estimate  low  stage  velocities.  A  stream  in  a  lumbering 
section  must  be  watched  closely  during  the  log-driving  period. 
Locations  at  which  log  jams  usually  form  should  be  avoided. 

When  the  problem  of  locating  stations  involves  an  entire 
drainage  basin,  an  hydraulic  engineer  familiar  with  the  basin 
will  likely  have  in  mind  tentative  locations  for  the  primary 
station  and  for  supplementary  stations,  and  will  extend  his 
reconnoissance  by  making  examinations  at  different  river  stages 
at  numerous  points  in  the  basin  as  he  may  have  occasion  to 
go  back  and  forth  in  it.  For  locating  secondary  stations  care- 
ful reconnoissances  are  also  required,  but  they  are  usually 
made  more  rapidly. 

If  the  project  for  which  the  data  are  collected  depends  on 
continuous  flow,  and  there  are  few  or  no  storage  possibilities, 
the  essential  data  will  be  that  giving  the  amount  of  the  minimum 
flow,  and  the  period  for  which  it  continues.  If  opportunities 
for  storage  do  exist,  then  the  maximum  flow  will  be  of  equal 
importance.  Satisfactory  results  are  usually  obtained  if  these 
two  extreme  conditions  are  allowed  to  determine  the  location 
of  the  station. 

The  following  essentials  should  be  carefully  examined: 

1.  The  general  course  of  the  stream  above,  at  and  below, 
the  station,  noting  whether  the  course  of  the  stream  is  straight 
or  whether  curved. 

2.  The  average  depth  and  velocity  of  the  stream  at  the 
section  under  consideration. 

3.  The  character  and  location  of  the  control  point,  with 
reference  to  the  proposed  location  of  the  gage. 

4.  The  character  of  the  stream    bed,    whether    of    sand, 
gravel,  boulders  or  rock,  and  especially  whether  it  is  shifting 
or  permanent. 

5.  The  character  of  the  stream  banks   at  the   proposed 
section,  whether  high  or  low,  clear  or  wooded,  permanent  or 
changing. 

6.  The  relative  position  of  dams  and  the  mouth  of  tribu- 
tary   streams    relative   to   the   proposed    location,    considering 


CURRENT    METERS 65 

carefully   the    effect   of   these    on   the    gage   heights    and   the 
measurements. 

7.  The  availability  of  observers  or  attendants,  and  their 
qualifications  for  the  work. 

8.  The  most  appropriate  type  of  gage,  whether  recording 
or  non-recording. 

If  no  records  are  available  concerning  the  diurnal  fluctua- 
tions, such  records  should  be  secured  at  once  by  installing  a 
portable  automatic  register  (See  Register  No.  633,  Fig.  48). 
The  results  of  this  test  will  show  whether  an  automatic  gage 
installation  is  necessary. 

9.  For  an  automatic  water  stage  register,  a  survey  of  the 
location  decided  upon,  to  fix  the  character  of  the  soil  in  which 
the  well  must  be  dug,  the  depth  of  the  well,  and  the  length  of 
the  intake  pipe;  for  a  vertical  staff  gage,  the  character  of  sup- 
port   available    and    the    length  of  gage  rod  required;  for  an 
inclined  staff  gage,  the  character  of  the  banks,  the  nature  of  the 
support  for  the  gage,  and  its  length;    for    a    chain    gage,    the 
character  of  support  available  and  the  length  of  chain  required. 

10.  The  available  or  required  structures  from  which  to 
make  measurements. 

If  a  bridge,  a  general  sketch  of  the  vicinity  showing 
especially  high  water  lines,  and  a  sketch  of  the  bridge  itself, 
showing  the  material  of  which  it  is  built,  the  length  and  number 
of  spans,  and  its  height  above  water. 

If  a  cable,  the  length  of  span,  the  kind  and  height  of  sup- 
ports available  or  required,  and  the  foundation  available 
for  them. 

Some  practical  details*  will  be  of  assistance.  The  principal 
sources  of  error  in  gaging  streams  by  current  meters  are  due 
to  the  effect  on  the  water  stage  of  slack  or  nearly  slack  water 
in  any  part  of  the  cross-section,  to  backwater  from  dams  or 
other  obstructions,  or  from  tributaries,  which  may  cause  the 
river  stage  to  rise  without  a  proportional  increase  in  discharge, 
and  from  obstructing  ice.  Do  not  choose  a  site  immediately 
above  or  below  the  junction  of  two  important  branches.  Fig. 
35  shows  a  gaging  station  where  the  reconnoissance  was 

*These  suggestions  have  been  taken  from  a  paper  by  C.  C.  Covert,  M. 
Am.  Soc.  C.  E.,  District  Engineer,  TL  S.  Geological  Survey. 


66  W.  &  L.  E.  GURLEY,  TROY,  NEW  YORK 

hurriedly  made,  and  where  the  gages  were  put  in  without  any 
consideration  to  the  effect  of  their  location  on  the  resulting 
records.  The  example  given  is  that  of  two  gaging  stations  on 
an  eastern  river,  one  on  the  east  branch  and  the  other  on  the 
the  west  branch.  From  the  gages  to  the  junction  of  the  two 
branches  is  approximately  one  and  a  half  miles.  The  differ- 
ence of  elevation  of  the  water  surface  at  the  two  points  is  less 
than  two  feet  at  all  normal  stages.  During  high  water  periods 
there  is  always  back  water  at  one  or  both  of  the  gages.  While 
it  is  possible  to  determine  the  amount  of  back  water,  it  would 
be  expensive,  and  would  have  to  be  repeated  at  each  successive 
flood,  because  the  different  conditions  of  flow  produce  different 
conditions  of  back  water.  On  the  west  branch  of  the  stream  a 
chain  gage  was  located  near  the  center  of  a  suspension  bridge. 


About  I Ki 

June  f/ an  r/ft£ast 

Location 


FIG.  25 — Shoving  poor  location  of  Gaging  Station,  because  of  junction  of 

two  branches  causing  backwater.     The  location  of  gages 

at  each  station  is  also  poor. 


CURRENT    METERS 


67 


This  is  an  extremely  bad  arrangement.  There  may  be  con- 
siderable stretch  to  the  chain,  but  the  uncertainty  as  to  the 
amount  of  rise  and  fall  due  to  expansion  and  contraction  of 
the  suspension  bridge  is  even  more  than  the  stretch  of  the  chain. 
At  this  station  there  was  an  opportunity  to  anchor  the  chain 
gage  to  one  of  the  towers  and  to  install  a  staff  gage  on  the  rocks, 
the  shore  on  the  left  side  beneath  the  bridge  being  rocky  and 
almost  vertical. 

At  the  station  on  the  east  branch  the  chain  gage  is  used 
suspended  from  the  upstream  side  of  the  highway  bridge.  A 
short  distance  below  the  highway  bridge  is  a  railroad  bridge. 
This  railroad  bridge  invariably  causes  back  water  at  the  high- 
way bridge  during  the  breakup  of  the  ice.  Had  the  gage  at  this 


Rather  fa*  proi/nct 
extreme 


FIG.  36 — Showing  proper  and  improper  location  of 
Gaging  Stations. 


68  W.  &  L.  E.  GURLEY,  TROY,  NEW  YORK 

station  been  a  staff  gage  and  fastened  to  the  downstream  side 
of  the  railroad  bridge,  the  records  would  never  have  been 
affected  by  the  back  water  from  either  bridge,  since  the  control- 
ing  point  for  stream  flow  under  natural  conditions  is  300  ft.  or 
400  ft.  below  the  railroad  bridge.  The  records  would  then 
have  given  much  better  results  during  the  high  stages. 


O/d  dam  part /a My 
desirqyed 


Large  bov/c/ers  ar?d 
wry  rough  c/?as?/?e/  cavse 


L  o<f  jams  issuaffy 

to*  rater  f/o*r 


FIG.  37 — Showing  poor  location  of  Gaging  Station  due  to  channel  conditions 
which  cause  periodic  log  and  ice  jams. 


CURRENT    METERS  69 

At  another  station  a  sloping  staff  gage  was  installed,  about 
twelve  feet  upstream  from  the  bridge  abutment,  Fig.  36.  A 
vertical  staff  gage  for  high  water  period  was  installed  on  the 
upstream  corner  of  one  of  the  abutments.  Thus,  both  of  these 
gages  are  located  so  that  if,  for  any  reason,  there  are  back 
water  conditions  at  this  bridge  due  to  ice  or  logs  jamming  on 
the  piers,  the  gage  heights  will  be  correspondingly  affected. 
The  proper  procedure  for  installing  these  gages  would  have 
been  to  place  the  vertical  staff  gage  on  the  downstream  side  of 
the  abutment  and  to  place  the  sloping  staff  gage  for  low  water 
measurements  in  a  line  with  the  first  gage.  Had  this  been 
done,  ice  jams  or  any  other  back  water  conditions  on  the  up- 
stream side  of  the  bridge  would  not  affect  the  gage  readings, 
while  at  the  same  time  the  vertical  staff  gage  would  have  been 
protected  from  the  ice  and  debris  which  floats  in  the  stream 
during  high  water. 

Fig.  37  illustrates  another  difficulty.  In  this  case  the  gage 
was  placed  on  the  bridge  because  it  was  convenient,  and  also 
because  the  persons  desiring  the  records  were  in  a  hurry  for 
data  and  did  not  care  to  spend  time  and  money  on  proper 
reconnoissance.  The  station  was  maintained  four  years. 
During  the  winter  months  it  was  always  difficult  to  obtain 
measurements  on  account  of  ice  conditions,  and  during  the 
spring  there  were  always  log  jams.  The  channel  conditions 
were  very  rough  and  a  portion  of  the  log  jams  always  remained 
during  the  summer  months.  In  order  to  follow  continually 
changing  conditions  it  was  necessary  to  make  a  large  number 
of  measurements  at  a  correspondingly  high  cost  for  mainten- 
ance. Even  with  this  done,  the  results  obtained  were  only 
approximate.  As  many  as  four  temporary  curves  were  drawn 
and  the  exact  period  of  each  rating  was  uncertain.  The  operating 
cost  for  four  years  at  this  station  was  more  than  the  entire  cost 
of  installation  at  the  station  eventually  located  two  miles  further 
downstream,  at  which  accurate  results  were  obtained  at  a  low 
operating  cost.  At  the  last  station  there  are  some  difficulties 
from  ice  conditions  during  Winter  months,  but  it  is  possible 
with  frequent  measurements  to  overcome  this  in  a  satisfactory 
manner.  In  view  of  the  lack  of  time  at  the  start  to  give  the 
river  a  thorough  reconnoissance,  it  would  have  been  cheaper 

i.iHiVERSlTY  OF  CALIFORNIA 

OF  CIVIL  ENQINEERI 


70  W.  &  L.  E.  GURLEY,  TROY,  NEW  YORK 

ultimately  to  have  used  a  cable  to  overcome  the  poor  channel 
conditions  at  the  bridge. 

In  selecting  a  gaging  station  the  judgment  should  not  be 
unduly  influenced  by  existing  bridges  or  other  convenient 
structures  for  supporting  the  gage,  or  from  which  measurements 
may  be  made.  Better  results  will  be  obtained  at  smaller  cost 
if  these  structures  are  ignored  and  the  attention  confined  to  the 
hydraulic  features.  The  same  mature  consideration  should  be 
given  the  cost  of  operating  the  station  as  to  the  first  cost  of  its 
installation. 

OBSERVERS 

The  presence  of  a  reliable  observer  is  often  a  controlling 
factor  in  establishing  a  station.  In  many  places  this  fact 
cannot  be  ignored,  but  where  there  is  a  choice  the  station  should 
be  placed  at  the  most  favorable  location,  and  should  not  be 
subordinated  to  the  convenience  of  the  observer.  The  intro- 
duction of  automatic  registers  which  meet  successfully  all  of 
the  requirements  at  isolated  places  have  solved  many  of  the 
perplexing  problems  arising  from  the  absence  of  observers  at 
such  stations. 

ESTABLISHMENT   OF   STATIONS 

After  the  reconnoissance  has  fixed  the  location  and  type  of 
the  station,  its  equipment  is  then  installed.  The  most  approved 
practice  in  the  equipment  of  current  meter  gaging  stations  will 
be  found  in  (U.  S.  Geological  Survey)  Water  Supply  Paper 
No.  371*,  which  may  be  obtained  from  the  Director,  U.  S. 
Geological  Survey,  Washington,  D.  C.,  while  the  most  approved 
methods  of  observing  and  preparing  the  data  will  be  found  in 
"  River  Discharge."  ** 

Briefly,  such  stations  for  determining  the  total  flow  of  a 
stream  and  its  diurnal  fluctuations  need  in  general  the  follow- 
ing equipment: 

1.  A  gage  or  gages  to  indicate  or  to  record  the  fluctuations 
of  stage. 

•Equipment  for  Current  Meter  Gaging  Stations,  by  Geo.  J.  Lyon,  M. 
Am.  Soc.  C.  E. 

**For  sale  by  W.  &  L.  E.  Gurley,  $2.50  net,  postpaid. 


CURRENT    METERS 71 

2.  Bench  marks  to  refer  the  gages  to  a  fixed  datum,  and 
to  indicate  whether  the  gages  remain  at  the  correct  elevation. 

3.  Structures  to  protect  the  automatic  water  stage  register 
when  used. 

4.  Structures    from   which    discharge    measurements    are 
made. 

5.  Stay  line  and  head  line  to  hold  the  meter  in  a  vertical 
position  when  soundings  and  velocity  observations  are  made. 

6.  Graduated  lines  to  indicate  the  points  of  observation. 

7.  Structures  to  control  and  regulate  the  relation  between 
stage  and  discharge  at  places  where  natural  control  is  lacking. 

Items  3  to  6  are  illustrated  in  Fig.  21,  which  shows  a 
typical  gaging  station,  while  item  7  is  illustratetd  in  Fig.  17. 
Full  details  are  given  in  (U.  S.  Geological  Survey)  Water 
Supply  Paper  No.  371. 


GAGES 

The  entire  process  of  collecting  stream  flow  data  by  current 
meter  methods,  is  based  on  the  constancy  of  the  relation  between 
gage  height  and  discharge.  Hence,  the  correct  installation  of 
the  gage  and  its  correct  reading  are  fundamentally  important. 
Errors  in  reading  or  recording  the  gage  height  are  known  to 
be  the  reason  for  the  majority  of  inaccuracies  in  stream  gag- 
ing work. 

The  instruments  that  have  been  used  for  indicating  the 
elevation  of  water  surface  of  rivers,  lakes,  and  other  bodies  of 
water  may  be  grouped  into  two  general  classes,  comprising 
respectively  non-recording  gages  and  recording  water  stage 
registers,  the  grouping  depending  on  the  method  of  obtaining 
the  record,  whether  by  direct  readings  by  an  observer  at  stated 
intervals  from  a  scale  board,  or  other  device,  or  by  some 
automatic  mechanism. 

NON-RECORDING   GAGES 

Non-recording  gages  in  common  use  are  the  vertical  or 
inclined  staff  gage,  the  hook  gage,  the  chain  gage,  and 
the  float  gage. 


72  W.  &  L.  E.  GURLEY,  TROY,  NEW  YORK 

The  staff  gage,  whether  vertical  or  inclined,  is  the  most 
satisfactory  non-recording  gage  for  all  ordinary  conditions. 
In  many  cases  it  is  possible  to  read  staff  gages  more  accurately 
if  a  stilling  box  is  used.  A  small  box  without  a  cover,  and  with 


FIG.  38 — Vertical  and  Inclined  Staff  Gages. 

one  end  removed,  just  wide  enough  to  slide  along  the  bedpiece, 
makes  an  excellent,  simple  device  for  this  purpose.  The  box 
turned  upside  down,  is  placed  on  the  gage  each  time  it  is  read, 
being  stored  above  high  water  when  not  in  use. 

In  some  situations,  two  gages  (Fig.  38)  are  desirable,  one 
for  low  and  the  other  for  high  water. 

Hook  gages  are  used  in  stream  gaging  work  in  the  wells 
where  automatic  registers  are  installed,  or  elsewhere  for  special 
investigations. 


CURRENT    METERS 


73 


GURLEY  HOOK  GAGE 

This  new  type  of  Hook  Gage  is  a  great 
improvement  over  other  patterns.  Its  entire 
arrangement  is  such  that  the  readings  can 
be  taken  by  the  observer  with  the  greatest 
possible  convenience  and  at  some  distance 
from  the  surface  of  the  stream  or  ditch 
being  measured.  This  is  often  a  decided 
advantage,  especially  so  in  the  East,  where 
many  of  the  streams  are  contaminated  by 
dye  stuffs  and  other  undesirable  material, 
rendering  it  unpleasant  for  the  observer  to 
get  too  close  to  the  water. 

The  Hook  Gage  is  made  entirely  of 
metal  and  is  nickel  plated  throughout.  The 
tube  is  regularly  made  to  read  to  2.2  feet 
but  may  be  made  longer  if  desired.  It  is 
graduated  to  feet,  tenths  and  hundredths, 
and  is  read  to  thousandths  by  a  vernier, 
which  is  capable  of  fine  adjustment  by 
means  of  a  slow  motion  screw.  Elongated 
holes  in  the  base  furnish  means  for  bolting 
the  gage  to  the  side  of  the  flume.  The 
hook  is  adjustable  within  the  tube  and 
allows  for  a  movement  of  12  inches 
independent  of  the  gage,  thus  permitting 
it  to  be  set  accurately  to  the  exact  surface 
of  the  water. 


FIG.  39— No.  G28 
Hook  Gage. 


TO  USE  THE  GURLEY  HOOK  GAGE 

The  hook  gage  is  used  in  a  box  attached  to  a  flume  at  any 
convenient  point  near  the  weir,  the  water  from  the  flume  being 
conveyed  to  the  box  by  rubber  or  lead  pipes,  thus  indicating 
the  precise  level  of  the  water  in  the  flume,  the  surface  of  the 
water  in  the  box  being  at  rest. 

When  the  depth  of  the  water  passing  over  a  weir  is  required, 
the  exact  level  of  the  crest  of  the  weir  should  be  taken  by  a 
leveling  instrument  and  rod,  and  marked  by  a  line  drawn  in  the 


74  W.  &  L.  E.  GURLEY,  TROY,  NEW  YORK 

still  water  box  at  the  surface  of  the  water.  The  scale  of  the  gage 
being  previously  set  at  zero  with  the  vernier,  the  base  is 
fastened  to  the  box  above  the  water  in  a  vertical  position  and 
at  such  a  height  that  the  point  of  the  hook  is  at  the  same  level 
as  the  crest  of  the  weir,  the  precise  point  being  secured  by 
moving  the  hook  in  the  tube.  The  point  of  the  hook  will  of 
course  be  under  water  and  level  with  the  crest  of  the  weir. 

The  depth  of  water  flowing  over  the  weir  is  the  distance 
between  the  point  of  the  hook  in  the  position  named  and  the 
exact  surface  of  the  water.  To  ascertain  this,  the  hook  is 
raised  by  turning  the  milled  head  nut  until  the  point  of  the 
hook,  appearing  a  little  above  the  surface,  causes  a  distortion 
in  the  reflection  of  the  light  from  the  surface  of  the  water.  A 
slight  movement  of  the  hook  in  the  opposite  direction  will  cause 
the  distortion  to  disappear,  and  will  indicate  the  surface  with 
precision.  The  reading  of  the  scale  will  then  give  the  depth 
of  water  passing  over  the  weir,  in  thousandths  of  a  foot. 

It  will  be  understood  from  the  illustration  that  the  longer 
movements  of  the  scale  are  made  by  loosening  the  large  clamp 
screw  and  sliding  the  graduated  tube  through  the  frame,  the 
finer  adjustments  being  made  by  the  milled  nut. 


Floating  gages  to  record  only  maximum  and  minimum 
stages  are  used  occasionally  where  such  information  is  sufficient. 

Chain  gages  may  sometimes  be  used  in  situations  where  no 
other  type  could  be  installed.  Great  care  should  be  taken  to 
secure  a  rigid  support  for  a  chain  gage. 

All  gages  should  be  placed  so  that  they  may  be  easily  read. 
The  scales  of  non-recording  gages  should  be  divided  into  feet 
and  tenths.  When  it  is  desirable  for  the  ordinary  gage  reader 
to  read  closer  than  tenths  of  a  foot,  the  tenths  should  be  divided 
into  halves  and  quarters  rather  than  into  hundredths.  Exper- 
ience has  shown  that  the  ordinary  observer  is  able  to  read 
common  fractions  of  a  tenth  more  readily  than  decimal 
fractions.  Where  skilled  observers  are  available  the  decimal 
system  may  be  used. 


CURRENT    METERS 75 

To  insure  accurate  marking,  all  gages  should  be  subdivided, 
either  by  means  of  a  steel  tape  or  an  engineer's  level.  The 
zero  of  all  gages  should  be  accurately  referred  to  a  fixed  datum, 
and  the  relation  thus  established  should  be  checked  frequently 
by  means  of  an  engineer's  level. 

RECORDING  WATER  STAGE  REGISTERS 

Recording  water  stage  registers  make  a  record  of  stage, 
either  continuously  by  a  curve,  the  coordinates  of  which  indicate 
the  time  and  the  stage,  or  by  a  device  that  prints  at  stated  inter- 
vals of  time.  The  essential  parts  of  the  recording  gage  are: 

(1)  A  float  which  rises  and  falls  with  the  surface  of  the  water; 

(2)  A  device  for  transferring  the  vertical  motion  of  the  float 
to  the  record,  either  directly  or  through  a  reducing  mechanism; 

(3)  The  recording  device;  and  (4)  The  clock. 

Gurley  recording  water  stage  registers  are  described  in 
detail  on  pages  77  to  130. 


BENCH  MARKS 

The  value  of  all  streamflow  records  depends  so  intimately 
upon  the  constant  relation  between  zero  of  the  gage  and  the 
station  bench  mark  that  too  much  care  cannot  be  taken  to  insure 
the  permanence  of  this  relation. 

Two  independent  bench  marks  at  each  station  are  desirable. 
They  should  be  so  located  that  they  will  not  be  damaged  by 
floods  or  other  causes.  At  bridge  stations  at  least  one  bench 
mark  should  be  apart  from  the  structure.  Where  trees  are 
available,  a  track  spike  with  the  front  edge  of  the  head  up- 
turned, makes  a  useful  bench  mark.  In  a  locality  without 
timber  the  United  States  Geological  Survey  type  bench  mark 
(Fig.  40)  is  available.  To  set  it,  dig  a  hole  of  small  diameter 
with  a  post  hole  digger,  well  below  frost  line.  Place  in  the 
hole  a  piece  of  3-inch  pipe  and  fill  the  hole  with  concrete;  fill 
the  pipe  with  cement  mortar,  into  which  set  the  bench  mark 


76  W.  &  L.  E.  GURLEY,  TROY,  NEW  YORK 


FIG.  40 — United  States  Geological  Survey  Bench  Mark. 


tablet.  Always  place  the  tablet  with  the  axis  of  the  stem  verti- 
cal, so  that  the  circle  marking  the  elevation  is  actually  the 
highest  point  of^the  bench  mark. 

Avoid  placing  bench  marks  on  new  or  unstable  structures. 
Wherever  possible,  place  the  bench  mark  so  that  the  gage  may 
be  reached  in  one  set  up. 

Having  established  the  station  bench  mark,  its  location  with 
respect  to  prominent  objects  should  be  carefully  described. 
While  in  some  cases  it  may  be  desirable  to  know  the  elevation 
of  the  gage  datum  above  sea  level,  much  confusion  will  be 
avoided  if  an  arbitrary  elevation,  applicable  to  all  emergencies 
and  future  conditions,  is  assigned,  and  only  that  elevation  used 
in  station  descriptions. 


PART   II. 

GURLEY  AUTOMATIC  WATER  STAGE  REGISTERS 

THEIR  CONSTRUCTION,  INSTALLATION 

AND  OPERATION 

INTRODUCTION 

FOR  the  purpose  of  obtaining  continuous  records  of  stream 
flow,  it  is  necessary  to  establish  and  to  equip  permanent 
stream    gaging    stations    and    to    observe    and    tabulate 
certain   data. 

For  each  gaging  station,  a  station  discharge  table  showing 
the  discharge  corresponding  to  all  gage  heights  within  the 
range  of  stage  is  prepared.  The  relationship  between  gage 
height  and  discharge  remains  constant  as  long  as  the  control  is 
unchanged,  so  that  as  long  as  the  gage  heights  are  accurately 
read  and  carefully  recorded  the  data  obtained  will  be  accurate. 

The  discharge  of  uniformly  flowing  unregulated  streams 
at  well  selected  gaging  stations  may  be  obtained  by  applying 
to  the  station  discharge  table  two  daily  gage  heights  per  day, 
of  which  one  is  usually  taken  in  the  morning  and  the  other  in 
the  evening.  But  such  gage  heights  read  morning  and  evening 
will  not  take  account  of  sudden  increases  in  stage  due  to  floods, 
or  to  those  due  to  regulation  of  the  flow.  To  take  account  of 
such  variations,  including  those  incident  to  power  regulations 
of  the  stream,  which  materially  affect  the  estimates  of  run-off 
(sometimes  affecting  the  monthly  means  as  much  as  30  per 
cent.),  it  is  necessary  to  install  automatic  water  stage  registers. 
It  is  also  highly  desirable,  and  in  many  cases,  as  a  matter  of 
record,  is  essential,  to  use  them  at  any  station  from  which  the 
records  are  to  be  used  as  a  basis  of  proportioning  the  stream 
flow  among  a  number  of  users,  as  in  power,  irrigation,  and 
mining  practice. 


78  W.  &  L.  E.  GURLEY,  TROY,  NEW  YORK 

CONDITIONS  REQUIRING  THE  USE  OF  AUTOMATIC 
WATER  STAGE  REGISTERS 

The  conditions  requiring  the  use  of  automatic  registers  have 
been  admirably  discussed  in  detail  by  the  Engineers  of  the 
United  States  Geological  Survey.** 

It  may  be  said  that  automatic  water  stage  registers  are 
necessary : 

1.  WHERE    WATER    is    VALUABLE    AND    EXCEPTIONALLY 

ACCURATE  RECORDS  ARE  NECESSARY. 

In  irrigation  enterprises  information  concerning  the  quan- 
tity of  water  that  can  be  supplied  is  necessary  to  interest  capital, 
and  the  accuracy  of  the  stream-flow  records  will  determine  not 
only  the  feasibility  of  a  project,  but  in  a  large  measure  the 
future  of  the  community  interested.  Recent  development  in 
the  West  has  created  a  demand  for  water,  and  the  quantity 
available  must  be  accurately  measured  before  the  water  subject 
to  filing  or  the  quantity  in  excess  of  prior  rights  is  known. 
Owing  to  lack  of  stream-flow  data,  many  streams  are  over 
appropriated  by  water  users.  Often  the  discharge  of  the 
streams  on  which  such  conditions  exist  is  small  and  difficult 
to  measure.  In  determining  the  flow  of  a  stream  subject  to 
additional  appropriation  of  water,  the  automatic  register  is 
absolutely  necessary. 

2.  WHERE  THE  ARTIFICIAL  OR  NATURAL  CONDITIONS  ON  A 
STREAM  CAUSE  SUDDEN  CHANGES  IN  STAGE  DURING  THE  24-HOUR 

PERIOD. 

Sudden  changes  in  stage  due  to  natural  conditions  may 
occur,  on  streams  draining  areas  of  high  altitude  and  fluctuating 
with  melting  and  freezing  snows.  A  stream  subject  to  change 
because  of  the  climatic  conditions  may  show  great  variation 
in  stage  within  the  24-hour  period,  especially  during  the  spring 
or  when  the  mountain  snows  are  melting,  the  effect  depending 
to  a  certain  extent  on  the  distance  between  the  gaging  station 
and  the  mountainous  section  of  the  drainage  area.  At  a  station 

**Bv  Mr.  Glenn  A.  Gray,  M.  Am.  Soc.  C.  E..  District  Engineer,  in  a 
paper  before  a  Conference  of  Engineers  of  the  Water  Resources  Branch, 
U.  S.  Geological  Survey,  Washington,  D.  C.,  December,  1914. 

By  Mr.  C.  H.  Pierce,  M.  Am.  Soc.  C.  E.,  District  Engineer,  in  Contribu- 
tions to  Hydrology,  1915,  Water  Supply  Paper  375-F,  U.  S.  Geological 
Survey. 


WATER    STAGE    REGISTERS  79 

in  the  mountains  and  near  the  source  the  stage  generally 
increases  during  the  day  and  decreases  at  night;  at  a  station 
farther  from  the  source  or  mountainous  section  the  time  of 
increase  or  decrease  in  stage  varies  according  to  the  distance. 
Reservoirs  storing  stream  water  for  use  as  occasion  demands, 
either  for  power  or  for  irrigation,  or  both,  produce  artificial 
conditions  that  may  cause  sudden  changes  in  stage.  To  obtain 
an  accurate  record  of  changes  in  stage  irregular  in  intervals 
and  unequal  in  magnitude,  and  also  of  the  quantity  of  water 
released  from  storage  reservoirs  as  well  as  of  the  flow  not 
stored,  an  automatic  register  is  essential. 

3.  WHERE    RECORDS   ARE   DESIRED   ON   A   FLOOD-WATER 
STREAM  WHICH  IS  DRY  MOST  OF  THE  YEAR. 

Records  of  flow  of  a  flood-water  stream  whose  channel  is 
dry  most  of  the  year  are  very  difficult  to  obtain.  Streams  of 
this  type  carry  water  at  times  of  melting  snow  or  of  heavy  rain- 
fall. The  rain  may  come  in  the  form  of  a  cloud-burst  and  the 
floods  resulting  are  of  short  duration,  perhaps  15  or  20  minutes. 
Even  if  a  staff  gage  and  a  gage  reader  were  available,  the  flood 
would  pass  the  gage  before  the  reader  arrived  there.  The 
duration  of  the  flood  depends  largely  on  the  size  and  character 
of  the  drainage  area  and  the  distribution  of  the  rain  fall.  An 
automatic  register  is  necessary  if  a  true  hydrograph  of  the 
stream  is  to  be  obtained.  The  float  of  such  a  register  is  usually 
carried  up  with  great  force  and  rapidity  when  the  wall  of  water 
or  bore  of  the  flood,  sometimes  15  or  20  feet  high,  reaches  the 
register.  Much  foresight  must  be  used  to  prevent  damage  to 
the  automatic  register  from  such  sources. 

4.  WHERE  COMPLETE  RECORDS  ARE  DESIRED  ON  A  STREAM 
WHICH  FLOWS  CONTINUOUSLY  BUT  IS  SUBJECT  TO  SUDDEN  FLOODS. 

The  flow  of  a  perennial  stream  that  is  not  subject  to  floods 
can  be  accurately  determined  by  readings  from  a  staff  or  chain 
gage;  but  a  stream  subject  to  sudden  floods  can  not  be  accurately 
gaged  without  automatic  instruments.  Not  uncommonly  the 
gage  reader  at  a  station  where  a  staff  or  chain  gage  is  used 
makes  two  readings  daily  —  morning  and  evening.  If  a  heavy 
rain  occurs  between  the  time  of  these  two  readings  and  causes 
a  sudden  flood  it  is  more  than  probable  that  the  morning  and 
afternoon  gage  heights  will  give  no  indication  of  the  change  in 
stage,  but  will  simply  show  a  constant  discharge.  Since  a  large 


80  W.  &  L.  E.  GURLEY,  TROY,  NEW  YORK 

proportion  of  the  total  run-off  from  a  basin  occurs  at  times  of 
flood,  a  true  index  of  the  flood-flow  must  be  obtained.  Condi- 
tions stated  under  3  and  4  are  similar,  in  that  flood  waters 
furnish  a  large  proportion  of  the  total  run-off. 

5.  WHERE  IT  is  NECESSARY  TO  DETERMINE  THE  MAXIMUM 

GAGE  HEIGHT  OR  THE  MAXIMUM  DAILY  MEAN  GAGE  HEIGHT. 

The  necessity  for  a  record  showing  maximum  gage  heights 
or  the  maximum  daily  mean  gage  height  arises  principally  in 
connection  with  the  design  of  power  dams  and  bridges.  If  a 
stream  is  subject  to  frequent  floods  during  the  year  and  the 
maximum  gage  height  must  be  determined,  a  continuous  hydro- 
graph  for  365  days  is  necessary.  The  peak  of  a  flood  can  be 
ascertained  by  observation  of  the  driftwood  at  the  gaging 
station  but  a  record  of  its  duration  would  not  be  available  unless 
constant  attention  was  given  by  the  gage  reader.  If  the  maxi- 
mum daily  mean  gage  height  is  desired,  the  hydrograph  from 
an  automatic  register  is  even  more  essential.  The  mean 
obtained  from  a  staff  or  chain  gage  read  twice  daily  might 
indicate  a  different  day  of  maximum  from  that  shown  by  auto- 
matic recording  register.  The  day  of  maximum  gage  height  is 
not  always  the  day  of  maximum  daily  mean  gage  height.  Two 
daily  readings  might  indicate  several  days  during  a  year  as 
days  of  maximum  mean  gage  height,  within  a  small  per  cent  of 
each  other,  whereas  an  automatic  register  record  would  doubt- 
less show  entirely  different  results.  The  accuracy  required 
for  such  data  would,  of  course,  play  an  important  part  in  the 
selection  of  the  type  of  gage,  but  for  a  record  which  would  be 
beyond  question  an  automatic  register  is  necessary. 

6.  WHERE  IT  is  NECESSARY  TO  DETERMINE  THE  MINIMUM 

GAGE  HEIGHT  OR  THE  MINIMUM  DAILY  MEAN  GAGE  HEIGHT. 

The  necessity  for  a  record  of  the  minimum  gage  height  or 
minimum  daily  mean  gage  height  occurs  in  connection  with 
water  power  and  irrigation  practice.  The  minimum  flow  of  a 
stream  in  amount  and  duration  is  one  of  the  controlling  factors 
of  a  water  power  project,  and  the  duration  of  the  period  of  flow 
should  always  be  determined  with  accuracy.  In  some  places 
flood  water  may  be  stored  to  replenish  the  low  flow;  a  continuous 
record  should,  therefore,  be  obtained  to  determine  the  amount 
of  storage  required.  In  irrigation  projects  the  low-water  flow 
is  not  so  essential  unless  the  low-water  period  occurs  in  the 


WATER    STAGE    REGISTERS 81 

irrigation  season  and  the  quantity  of  water  required  is  in  excess 
of  the  supply. 

7.  WHERE  SMALL  STREAMS  OF  SUDDEN  FLUCTUATION  ARE 
MEASURED  BY  WEIRS  FOR  ADJUDICATION  OF  WATER  BY  THE 

COURTS. 

The  mean  of  three  or  four  readings  per  day  of  the  head  on 
a  weir  may  give  an  erroneous  result,  especially  when  the  stream 
is  subject  to  fluctuation.  To  properly  obtain  the  mean  head 
on  the  weir  for  the  24-hour  period  an  automatic  register  should 
be  installed  a  sufficient  distance  above  the  crest  of  the  weir 
to  avoid  the  effects  due  to  the  curvature  of  the  approaching 
water. 

8.  WHERE  THE  AVAILABLE  GAGE  READERS  DO  NOT  HAVE 
SUFFICIENT  INTELLIGENCE  TO  READ  A  GAGE  OR  CAN  NOT  BE 

TRUSTED. 

9.  WHERE   THE   STATION   is   SITUATED  AT   AN   ISOLATED 

POINT  AND  A  GAGE  READER  IS  NOT  AVAILABLE. 

The  necessity  for  establishing  a  station  at  an  isolated  point, 
where  a  gage  reader  is  not  available,  has  caused  the  installation 
of  many  automatic  registers.  Many  stations  are  50  to  100 
miles  from  a  railroad  in  regions  whose  inhabitants  have  no 
fixed  abode.  This  condition  affects  the  collection  of  data  for 
irrigation  projects  less  than  for  water  powers.  Irrigation  lands 
are  in  general  not  so  remote  from  habitations  as  water  power 
sites.  At  several  stations  in  the  West  valuable  stream  flow  data 
could  not  have  been  collected  had  the  continuous  automatic 
water  stage  register  not  been  invented. 


ESSENTIAL  FEATURES  OF  AUTOMATIC 
WATER  STAGE  REGISTERS 

Automatic  recording  water  stage  registers  consist  of: 

(1)  A  float  that  rises  and  falls  with  the  surface  of  the 
water. 

(2)  A  mechanism  that  transfers  the  vertical  motion  of  the 
float  to  the  record,  either  in  natural  or  reduced  scale. 

(3)  A  sheet  of  paper  on  which  a  record  of  the  rise  and 
fall  of  the  float  is  made. 

(4)  A  clock. 

(5)  A  cover  for  the  instrument. 


82  W.  &  L.  E.  GURLEY,  TROY,  NEW  YORK 

The  essential  features  of  a  good  automatic  register  are: 

(1)  A  float  of  sufficient  area  to  be  sensitive  enough  to 
respond  quickly  to  a  change  in  water    stage,    connected    to    a 
counterweight  by  means  of  a  perforated  band  that  is  positive 
in  its  action. 

(2)  A  transfer  mechanism  so  carefully  made  that  it  per- 
forms all  of  its  functions  with  certainty  and  precision. 

(3)  A  record  sheet  that  is  not  distorted  by  moisture  and 
that  gives  the  record  in  a  form  most  appropriate  to  the  use  to 
which  it  is  to  be  put.     This  involves  the  cost  of  handling  the 
records,  including  provision  for  filing  them,  and  of  the  office 
work  incident  to  applying  the  gage  heights    to    the    discharge 
table. 

(4)  A  clock,  of  heavy  yet  simple  construction,  with  a  re- 
fined escapement,  compensated  for  temperature. 

THE  FLOAT 

The  value  of  records  from  water  stage  registers  varies  with 
their  accuracy,  which  is  limited  in  large  measure  by  the  readi- 
ness with  which  the  instrument  responds  to  slight  changes  in 
the  height  of  water.  Precision  in  recording  depends  directly 
on  the  amount  of  power  required  to  operate  that  part  of  the 
mechanism  which  records  the  water  stage  at  any  given  instant, 
as  well  as  upon  the  time  element.  This  power  is  obtained  from 
the  bouyant,  or  lifting  force,  of  the  water  acting  on  the  area  of 
a  float,  that  is  connected  by  means  of  a  perforated  band  to  a 
counterweight.  The  band  passes  over  the  driving  wheel  of  the 
recording  mechanism  between  the  float  and  the  counterweight. 
The  band  itself  should  be  as  light  in  weight  as  possible,  con- 
sistent with  its  required  strength  and  life.  The  counterweight 
should  weigh  somewhat  more  than  the  total  weight  of  the  band 
and  a  weight  sufficient  to  overcome  the  friction  of  the  instru- 
ment, if  suspended  from  the  counterweight  side  of  the  driving 
pulley  of  the  recording  mechanism.  Likewise,  the  float 
should  weigh  somewhat  more  than  the  combined  weights  of  the 
tape,  the  counterweight  and  a  weight  sufficient  to  overcome  the 
friction  of  the  instrument  if  suspended  from  the  float  side  of 
the  driving  pulley. 


WATER    STAGE    REGISTERS  83 

The  cross-sectional  area  of  the  float  parallel  to  the  water 
surface  determines  the  power  of  flotation,  the  readiness  of 
response  to  slight  variations  in  water  stage,  and  the  amount  of 
power  available  to  operate  the  recording  mechanism.  The  area 
of  the  float  parallel  to  the  water  should  be  as  large  as  possible 
in  order  to  get  a  maximum  amount  of  displacement,  and  hence 
bouyancy  and  power,  for  each  fraction  of  an  inch  of  the  vertical 
height  of  the  float. 

When  an  instrument  is  installed  over  the  well,  the  float  and 
counterweight  together  with  the  bouyant  force  of  the  water, 
will  assume  a  relation  of  balance  or  equilibrium;  that  is,  the 
weight  of  the  counterweight  and  band  on  its  side  of  the  driv- 
ing wheel  will  equal  the  combined  weight  of  that  portion  of 
the  float  that  is  above  the  water  surface  and  the  band  on  the 
float  side  of  the  driving  pulley.  If  no  power  was  required  to 
operate  the  instrument,  then  a  condition  of  balance  would  always 
be  established  immediately  after  any  change  in  the  elevation 
of  the  water  surface  and  the  driving  wheel  would  turn  an 
amount  equal  to  the  change  in  rise  and  fall. 

Since  it  is  impossible  to  construct  a  frictionless  instrument, 
or  in  other  words,  one  that  would  require  no  power  to  operate, 
it  is  necessary  to  provide  the  required  power.  That  is  done  by 
disturbing  the  relation  of  balance  between  the  float  and  the 
counterweight,  mentioned  above,  by  an  amount  equal  to  a 
weight  sufficient  to  drive  the  recording  mechanism.  The  over- 
balance is  due  to  the  rise  or  fall  of  the  water  around  the  float, 
and  the  instrument  will  not  respond  until  such  rise  or  fall  of 
the  water  on  the  float  forms  a  water  column  of  the  cross-sectional 
area  of  the  float  and  equal  in  weight  to  the  force  required  on 
the  rim  of  the  driving  wheel  to  operate  the  instrument.  It  will 
readily  be  seen  that  for  a  given  weight  the  altitude  of  this  water 
column,  (which  is  the  rise  or  fall  of  the  water  surface)  must 
be  greater  for  a  small  cross-sectional  area  than  for  a  large 
cross-sectional  area.  Hence  the  same  instrument  will  be  more 
sensitive,  with  a  corresponding  increase  in  the  refinement  in 
the  record,  when  a  large  float  is  used  than  when  a  small  one 
is  used. 

Since  the  area  of  the  float  parallel  to  the  water  controls  the 
sensitiveness  of  the  register,  it  is  interesting  to  note  the  follow- 
ing comparison  of  the  weights  of  circular  colums  of  water  one 


84  W.  &  L.  E.  GURLEY,  TROY,  NEW  YORK 

hundredth  of  a  foot  (0.12")  high  for  various  diameters.  These 
computations  show  the  relative  power  derived  from  floats  of 
different  diameters.  It  will  be  noted  that  the  power  of  the 
float  varies  as  the  square  of  its  diameter. 

Diameter  of          Area  of  float  Inches  Volume  of  Weight  of  1  Power  of  weight 

float  in  square  in  water  column  cubic  inch  of  of  water  column 

in  inches  inches  1/100  foot       in  cubic  inches        water  in  ounces  in  ounces 

4  12.57  0.12  1.51  0.58  0.88 

6  28.27  0.12  3.39  0.58  1.97 

8  50.26  0.12  6.03  0.58  3.50 

10  78.54  0.12  9.43  0.58  5.47 

20  314.16  0.12  37.70  0.58  21.87 

In  Gurley  water  stage  registers  the  power  required  to 
operate  the  recording  mechanism  is  reduced  to  a  minimum, 
but  to  insure  precision  and  certainty  of  action  a  large  float  is 
always  used. 

THE  TRANSFER  MECHANISM 

The  range  of  the  time-keeping  mechanism  may  be  definitely 
decided  upon  for  any  type  of  register.  Hence,  if  the  move- 
ment along  either  axis  of  the  register  must  be  limited  the  time 
axis  may  be  of  fixed  length.  Such  is  the  case  in  Gurley  regis- 
ters of  the  graphic  type,  on  which  the  records  are  changed  at 
fixed  intervals  of  time.  On  printing  type  registers,  however,  the 
time  is  transferred  to  the  record  from  the  faces  of  cylindrical 
type  wheels,  which  revolve  with  the  hands  of  the  clock  contin- 
uously for  as  long  a  time  as  may  be  desired. 

The  range  of  water  stage,  on  the  other  hand,  may  be  decid- 
edly variable.  Hence,  on  graphic  registers  the  axis  along 
which  the  record  of  stage  is  made  should  not  be  limited  in 
length.  For  this  reason  the  record  of  stage  should  be  made 
around  the  circumference  of  the  cylinder  on  the  register.  Since 
it  is  possible  for  the  cylinder  to  revolve  on  its  axis,  such  an 
arrangement  of  the  axis  of  the  record  allows  any  change  of 
stage,  no  matter  how  great,  to  be  recorded,  each  complete  revo- 
lution of  the  cylinder  corresponding  to  a  definite  change  in 
stage.  On  the  printing  type  registers  the  record  of  stage  is 
printed  on  the  continuous  record  tape  by  cylindrical  type  wheels, 
and  these  are  made  so  that  they  may  make  any  necessary  num- 
ber of  complete  revolutions. 


WATER    STAGE    REGISTERS  85 

All  parts  of  the  transfer  mechanism,  including  the  lead 
screws  that  move  the  pencil  carriage,  the  perforated  bronze 
band  connecting  the  float  and  the  driving  pulley,  and  all  gears, 
should  be  so  accurately  constructed  as  to  be  free  from  lost 
motion. 

THE    RECORD    SHEETS 

Record  sheets  for  graphic  registers  should  have  accurately 
printed  on  them  a  time  scale  and  a  water  stage  scale.  The 
point  of  the  pencil  is  the  index  for  time  and  water  stage  when 
adjusting  the  record  sheets.  These  record  sheets  are  shown  on 
pages  117  and  118. 

The  record  sheet,  for  printing  type  registers,  is  a  strip  of 
paper  1/4  inches  wide,  a  roll  of  which  is  placed  on  one  reel 
and  received  on  another,  after  having  passed  over  the  type 
wheels  where  it  has  printed  upon  it  the  water  stage  to  hun- 
dredths  of  a  foot  and  the  time  of  record.  Between  the  record 
paper  and  the  type  wheels  runs  a  strip  of  carbon  paper  the  same 
width  as  the  record  paper  and  carried  in  the  same  manner  be- 
tween the  type  wheels  and  the  record  paper,  the  carbon  face 
being  next  to  the  record  paper.  When  the  printing  hammer 
strikes,  a  carbon  impression  is  made  on  the  white  record  paper. 

The  printed  type  of  record  has  these  advantages:  the  rela- 
tion of  time  and  gage  height  is  in  no  way  affected  if  moisture 
changes  the  width  or  length  of  the  tape,  and  it  is  a  kind  of 
record  that  may  be  understood  by  commissioners  or  attorneys 
without  engineering  training. 

THE  CLOCK 

A  weight  driven  clock  compensated  for  temperature  is  the 
most  desirable  type  of  time  keeper  for  a  water  stage  register. 
In  order  to  get  extra  long  bearings  for  the  shafts  of  the  clock 
gears  the  front  and  back  plates  of  the  clock  should  be  heavier 
than  in  an  ordinary  time  piece.  The  lower  wheels  that  carry 
the  heavy  weights  should  be  fitted  with  phosphor  bronze  bush- 
ings and  the  shafts  themselves  should  be  of  highly  polished 
steel,  these  metals  being  the  most  suitable  combination  for  such 
purposes.  The  adjustment  of  the  mesh  between  the  escapement 
and  the  clock  train  should  be  perfect.  This  relation  is  perma- 


86  W.  &  L.  E.  GURLEY,  TROY,  NEW  YORK 

nently  maintained  by  hardening  the  end  of  the  escapement  shaft 
and  using  a  sapphire  bearing  jewel.  The  escapement  must  be 
so  arranged  that  it  may  be  thrown  out  of  mesh  with  the  clock 
train  to  make  it  possible  to  set  the  clock  to  the  proper  time  with- 
out changing  the  relation  between  the  time  type  wheel  (5),  the 
clutch  (11),  and  the  hands.  (See  Fig.  45,  page  92). 

THE  COVER 

A  tight  fitting  cover  should  enclose  all  automatic  recording 
registers  so  as  to  exclude  dirt  from  the  mechanism.  Dust  or 
grit  settling  on  the  gears  and  bearings  of  any  time  piece  soon 
interferes  with  its  satisfactory  operation. 


TYPES  OF  GURLEY  AUTOMATIC  WATER 
STAGE  REGISTERS 

Gurley  automatic  water  stage  registers  are  divided  into  three 
classes  —  those  making  a  printed  record,  those  making  a  graphic 
record,  and  those  transmitting  a  record  from  a  distance.  In 
the  printing  type  a  simultaneous  record  of  water  stage  and  time 
is  made;  in  the  graphic  type  the  record  is  made  continuously 
by  a  curve,  the  coordinates  of  which  are  the  time  and  the  stage ; 
the  long  distance  register  records  the  time  and  the  changes  in 
level  on  a  chart  situated  some  distance  from  the  body  of  water 
which  is  being  gaged.  All  three  classes  of  registers  will  be 
described  in  detail. 


WATER    STAGE    REGISTERS  87 


Gurley  Printing  Water  Stage  Register 

Range,  0  to  36.99  feet  without  repeating. 
Prints  at  15,  30  or  60  minute  intervals. 
The  time  that  the  clock  will  run  depends  upon 

the  depth  of  the  well. 

The  fall  of  clock  weight  is  Y/z  inches  per  day. 
Patented  January  10,  1911. 

The  difficulty  of  scaling  with  precision  the  records  made 
by  a  graphic  register,  the  tendency  of  the  paper  to  be  affected 
by  moisture  or  other  causes,  and  the  limited  time  for  which  the 
record  can  be  taken,  have  led  to  our  introducing  a  register  which 
prints  on  a  continuous  paper  strip,  at  intervals  of  15,  30,  or 
60  minutes,  the  height  of  the  water  in  feet  and  hundredths  of 
a  foot  for  a  period  of  time  dependent  on  the  range  of  fall 
allowed  the  driving  weights,  which  move  at  the  rate  of  \Y* 
inches  for  a  period  of  24  hours. 


FIG.  41 — Section  of  Paper  Tape,  showing  Printed  Record 
made  on  a  No.  630  Printing  Register. 

This  register  is  the  result  of  years  of  study  and  experiment, 
and  is  made  in  the  best  manner  and  of  the  best  material,  has 
had  the  original  inspection  and  approval  of  some  of  the  most 
eminent  hydraulic  engineers,  and  has  been  tested  under  severe 
conditions  of  actual  service  with  most  satisfactory  results.  We, 
therefore,  have  no  hesitation  in  recommending  its  use  to  all  who 
require  accuracy  and  efficiency  in  water  measurements. 

ADVANTAGES  OF  GURLEY  PRINTING  REGISTERS 

Certainty  of  operation.  These  registers  have  been  devel- 
oped to  meet  actual  field  conditions  and  are  performing  with 
certainty  and  without  interruption  in  many  places  and  under  a 
great  variety  of  physical  conditions. 


88  W.  &  L.  E.  GURLEY,  TROY,  NEW  YORK 


FIG.  42 — No.  630  Printing  Water  Stage  Register. 

Front  view,  showing  clock,  float  and  weights. 

Range,  0  to  36.99  feet  without  repeating. 


WATER    STAGE    REGISTERS  89 

Frequency  of  record  of  stage  and  time.  This  is  the  only 
register  that  records  automatically  a  printed  record  of  stage  to 
hundredths  of  a  foot  and  of  time  to  fractions  of  an  hour. 

Continuity  of  record.  This  register  will  operate  contin- 
uously as  long  as  the  clock  weight  which  is  lowered  \Y^  inches 
in  24  hours  is  free  to  fall  in  the  well.  Registers  have  frequently 
operated  for  six  months  with  one  winding.  The  driving 
weights  may,  however,  be  raised  whenever  required  without 
moving  the  cover  or  in  any  way  interfering  with  the  operation 
of  the  register. 

Absence  of  moisture  effects.  The  record  is  made  by 
printing  figures  on  a  strip  of  paper  and  is  independent  of  the 
size  of  the  strip.  The  accuracy  of  the  record  is  unaffected  by 
any  changes  in  the  size  of  the  strip  of  paper  due  to  varying 
conditions  of  moisture. 

Unlimited  record  of  stage.  A  change  of  stage  is  recorded 
by  means  of  the  revolution  of  the  type  wheels  of  the  recording 
mechanism.  These  are  free  to  revolve  any  number  of  times 
with  the  change  in  stage  and  may  do  so  without  confusing  the 
record. 

Singleness  of  interpretation  and  permanence  of  record. 
The  record  of  both  time  and  stage  is  printed  directly  on  the 
record  paper  in  permanent  form.  Printed  figures  have  only 
one  meaning  and  hence  the  interpretation  of  the  record  is  not 
susceptible  to  any  variation  due  to  personal  equation.  These 
considerations  are  of  great  importance  where  the  figures  are 
likely  to  become  part  of  a  court  record. 

Convenience  in  changing  records.  The  record  papers  may 
be  changed  at  any  time.  It  is  not  necessary  to  change  them 
at  stated  intervals.  This  makes  possible  the  use  of  this  type 
of  register  in  inaccessible  places. 

Simplicity  of  record.  The  printed  record  is  a  form  easily 
interpreted  by  those  without  technical  training.  The  reduction 
of  the  record  is  a  non-technical  clerical  operation.  It  is  greatly 
facilitated  by  the  use  of  a  tape  reel.  (See  Fig.  44). 

Superior  mechanical  execution.  Every  part  is  made  of 
properly  selected  material  finely  finished  to  insure  accuracy  in 
operation. 


90  W.  &  L.  E.  GURLEY,  TROY,  NEW  YORK 


FIG.  43 — No.  630  Printing  Water  Stage  Register. 
Side  view,  showing  paper  reels,  type  wheels  and  cushioned  hammer. 


WATER    STAGE    REGISTERS  91 


FIG.  44 — No.  632  Tape  Reel,  for  use  with 
No.  G30  Printing  Register. 

For  convenience  in  handling  and  examining  records  on  the 
printed  tape,  a  Tape  Reel  is  provided,  as  shown  above.  The 
tape  is  wound  upon  a  storage  spool,  or  may  be  passed  from  one 
spool  to  another  over  a  table,  under  a  thin  metal  plate  through 
an  opening  in  which  the  figures  on  the  tape  may  be  observed, 
and  such  notations  as  are  desired  made  upon  it  while  it  is 
wound  from  one  spool  to  the  other. 

CONSTRUCTION    OF    GURLEY    PRINTING    REGISTERS 

A  base  (1)  about  14  inches  square,  (See  Figs.  45,  46  and 
47),  at  either  corner  of  which  is  a  rod  (2)  22^  inches  long 
supporting  a  top  (3),  forms  a  frame  for  the  register.  On  the 
base  (1)  extending  to  top  (3)  is  the  back  frame  (4)  which  sup- 
ports the  clock,  paper  reels,  sprocket,  and  type  wheels. 

The  recording  mechanism  consists  of  three  parallel  type 
wheels,  viz. —  the  time  wheel  (5),  the  even  foot  wheel  (6),  and 
the  hundredth  of  foot  wheel  (7),  on  the  face  of  which  are  raised 
figures  and  divisions  indicating,  respectively,  the  period  of  time 
from  one  to  twelve  hours,  divided  into  intervals  of  15  minutes; 
the  number  of  feet  from  0  to  36;  and  the  hundredths  of  a  foot 


92  W.  &  L.  E.  GURLEY,  TROY,  NEW  YORK 


FIG.  45 — No.  630  Printing  Water  Stage  Register. 

from  0  to  100.  If  the  water  should  rise  above  this  height,  no 
trouble  will  be  experienced  in  determining  the  stage  of  the 
water. 

The  type  wheel  indicating  time  (5)  is  controlled  by  a  weight 
driven  clock  of  finest  construction,  and  with  full  jewelled 
escapement  (9)  which  is  compensated  to  endure  variations  of 


WATER    STAGE    REGISTERS  93 

temperature  without  variation  in  its  regular  operation.  The 
escapement  is  protected  by  a  dust  cover  (15)  which  is  trans- 
parent. The  escapement  may  be  disengaged  from  the  clock 
train  by  the  use  of  the  nut  (12),  the  spring  (13),  and  the  milled 
head  screw  (14). 

The  weight  driven  clock  is  very  simple  in  construction,  extra 
heavy,  beautifully  made,  the  end  of  the  shaft  next  to  the  escape- 
ment being  hardened  and  having  a  sapphire  bearing  with  what 
is  called  the  "olive  hole."  This  care  reduces  the  retarding 
effect  of  the  thickening  of  the  oil  to  a  minimum,  and  is  taken 
so  that  the  mesh  of  the  escapement  is  always  in  the  same  relation 
with  the  wheel  on  the  escapement  shaft.  The  escapement  is 
fully  jewelled  and  has  a  compensating  balance  wheel.  Thus 
the  clock  will  run  uniformly  in  heat  and  cold. 

When  a  clock  movement  is  subjected  to  cold,  the  hair  spring 
contracts  and  becomes  stronger.  The  steel  rim  and  center  of 
the  balance  contracts,  as  does  also  the  brass  rim;  but  as  the 
brass  rim  contracts  more  than  the  steel  rim,  it  has  the  effect  of 
straightening  the  rim  —  thus  increasing  the  diameter  of  the 
wheel,  and  carrying  the  mass  of  its  weight  further  away  from 
the  axis,  which  has  a  retarding  effect. 

The  clock  is  rigidly  supported  by  the  back  frame  (4)  and 
the  front  left  hand  corner  rod  (2).  It  has  a  thrust  brace  (16) 
and  an  adjusting  screw  (17).  The  driving  wheel  of  the  clock 
train  (18)  is  on  a  shaft  (19)  which  is  supported  in  ball  bear- 
ings by  the  two  standards  (20)  and  (21).  On  the  shaft  (19) 
is  a  loose  sprocket  wheel  and  a  ratchet  wheel  (22)  that  drives 
the  clock  train  with  a  pawl  and  spring  working  on  the  driving 
gear  wheel.  The  clock  weight  hangs  on  one  end  of  a  chain 
(54)  that  passes  over  the  sprocket  wheel  (22). 

The  clock  will  run  continuously  for  a  length  of  time  depend- 
ing on  the  depth  of  the  well,  the  weight  falling  Y/z  inches  in 
24  hours.  Registers  have  frequently  operated  for  six  months 
with  one  winding.  The  clock  weight  may  be  raised  whenever 
required,  without  moving  the  cover  or  in  any  way  interfering 
with  the  operation  of  the  register. 

Four  reels,  mounted  on  the  main  standard  of  the  instru- 
ment, carry  and  receive  the  paper  strip  and  the  carbon  backing. 
A  strip  of  paper  two  feet  long  and  1/4  inches  wide  is  all  that 


94  W.  &  L.  E.  GURLEY,  TROY,  NEW  YORK 


g 

FIG.  46 — No.  G30  Printing  Water  Stage  Register. 

is  required  for  the  ninety-six  impressions  made  in  twenty-four 
hours.  Moisture  has  no  effect  on  the  record,  which  is  printed 
directly  on  the  paper. 


WATER    STAGE    REGISTERS 95 

The  carbon  paper  is  supplied  from  reel  (23)  and  the  record 
paper  from  reel  (24).  Both  strips  pass  over  the  type  wheels 
(5,  6,  and  7),  the  carbon  face  against  the  white  record  paper, 
and  the  carbon  strip  is  then  received  on  reel  (25)  and  the 
printed  record  paper  on  reel  (26).  Both  strips  are  held  taut 
by  the  tension  of  a  weight  (56)  (See  Fig.  47)  attached  to  a 
chain  (55)  that  passes  over  the  sprocket  wheel  (27).  This 
sprocket  wheel  also  has  a  ratchet  wheel  attached  to  it,  which  is 
engaged  by  a  pawl  and  spring  working  on  a  flange  wheel  (28) 
fastened  to  a  shaft  (29)  and  carried  in  ball  bearings  by  two 
standards  (30  and  31) ;  fastened  to  shaft  (29)  is  a  gear  wheel 
(32)  which  is  in  mesh  with  a  train  of  gears  connecting  with  the 
receiving  reels  (25  and  26).  A  locking  device  (33)  is  pro- 
vided to  lock  this  train  of  gears  when  taking  the  record  off  the 
instrument. 

The  two  type  wheels  indicating  water  stage  (6  and  7)  are 
moved  by  a  sprocket  wheel  (8),  connected  to  the  float  and 
counterweight  (51)  by  a  perforated  phosphor  bronze  band 
(47),  so  that  any  change  in  the  water  stage  is  immediately 
indicated  by  a  corresponding  movement  of  the  type  wheels  (6 
and  7).  (See  Fig.  45). 

The  hammers,  one  for  the  time  (45),  one  for  the  even  foot 
(44),  and  one  for  the  hundredth  of  a  foot  (37)  are  pivoted  on 
a  shaft  (34),  one  end  of  which  is  carried  by  the  back  frame 
(4)  and  the  other  by  a  standard  (35).  The  lower  ends  of  the 
hammers  are  weighted  and  the  upper  ends  have  a  cushioned 
face  (36) .  Attached  to  the  side  of  the  hundredth  hammer  (37) 
is  a  roller  and  holder  (38)  which  travel  in  a  saw  tooth  cam 
(39).  The  number  of  teeth  on  the  cam,  one,  two,  or  four, 
depends  on  the  time  interval  desired  between  successive  print- 
ings of  the  record.  The  cam  moves  with  the  clock  and  pushes 
the  hammers  back  until  the  point  of  the  cam  passes  the  holder 
(38)  whereupon  the  hammers  fall,  allowing  the  cushioned  face 
(36)  to  strike  a  blow  on  the  record  paper  and  its  carbon  backing 
covering  the  type  wheels  (5,  6,  and  7)  thus  printing  the  time 
and  height  of  water  on  the  paper  record.  The  points  of  the 
cam  are  made  of  hardened  steel,  to  always  insure  a  sharp  edge 
where  the  hammer  drops  from  the  cam. 

The  register  as  above  described,  when  in  use  is  covered  by 
a  metal  hood  (40)  fitting  tightly  at  the  bottom  on  a  rubber 


96  W.  &  L.  E.  GURLEY,  TROY,  NEW  YORK 


FIG.  47 — Details  of  Installation  of  No.  630  Printing  Register. 

gasket  (41),  and  having  at  the  top  a  screw  nut  (42),  which  may 
be  secured  by  a  lock  through  the  slot  (43)  to  prevent  removal 
of  the  case  by  unauthorized  persons.  The  face  of  the  clock 
may  be  seen  through  a  glass-covered  opening  in  the  metal  hood, 
and  the  clock  may  be  wound  from  the  outside  by  lifting  the 


WATER    STAGE    REGISTERS 97 

weight  by  one  hand  and  pulling  the  driving  chain  with  the  other 
at  such  intervals  as  required,  without  the  removal  of  the  case 
or  disturbance  of  the  instrument.  The  paper  mechanism  may 
be  wound  in  a  similar  manner. 

The  large  diameter  of  the  copper  float,  10  inches,  enables 
it  to  respond  immediately  to  any  variations  in  the  height  of  the 
water,  the  slightest  change  being  recorded.  Its  size  and  shape 
render  it  extremely  sensitive,  and  the  top  is  rounded  so  that 
foreign  matter  cannot  lodge  on  it  and  change  the  degree  of 
immersion. 

The  instrument  is  made  of  metal  throughout  and  is  of  the 
highest  grade  of  mechanical  construction,  which  insures 
accuracy  in  operation. 

INSTALLATION  AND  OPERATION   OF  GURLEY 
PRINTING  REGISTERS 

An  appropriate  shelter*  for  the  register  is  required  at  each 
station.  The  door  and  windows  of  the  shelter  should  be  closed 
while  making  adjustments,  if  the  wind  is  blowing. 

The  box  in  which  the  instrument  is  shipped  with  the  packing 
material  in  it  should  be  kept  at  hand  in  case  it  is  desired  to  ship 
the  register  to  another  gaging  station  at  some  later  time. 

Before  moving  the  metal  cover  of  the  register,  the  house 
should  be  swept  clean.  The  mechanism  of  the  register,  like 
that  of  any  other  high  grade  clock,  should  be  protected  from 
dust  whenever  the  cover  is  taken  off.  The  cover,  when  removed 
from  the  gage,  should  be  set  down  in  a  clean  place,  otherwise 
it  will  carry  dust  to  the  register.  The  necessary  openings 
through  the  gage  table  and  floor  of  the  shelter  may  be  located 
properly  by  using  the  template,  which  is  sent  with  each  instru- 
ment for  that  purpose.  When  the  holes  have  been  bored,  place 
the  register  on  the  gage  table,  take  off  the  metal  cover  (40)  and 
put  the  four  wood  screws  through  the  holes  (46)  into  the  gage 
table.  Then  remove  carefully  from  the  parts  of  the  register  the 
packing  used  to  protect  the  mechanism  during  shipment. 

Find  the  exact  stage  of  water  in  the  well  by  reading  the 
hook  or  other  fixed  gage.  Then  revolve  the  sprocket  wheel  (8) 

*See  IT.  S.  Geological  Survey,  Water  Supply  Paper  No.  371. 


98  W.  &  L.  E.  GURLEY,  TROY,  NEW  YORK 

until  the  foot  mark  on  the  middle  type  wheel  (6),  corresponding 
to  the  foot  mark  on  the  hook  gage,  is  opposite  the  center  of  the 
hammer.  Continue  to  revolve  the  sprocket  wheel  (8)  until  the 
hundredth  mark  on  the  type  wheel  (7),  corresponding  to  the 
hook  gage  reading,  is  correctly  in  line  with  the  center  of  the  foot 
figure  which  is  always  the  index. 

Attach  the  perforated  band  (47)  to  the  clamp  (48)  on  top 
of  the  float  and  let  the  float  down  into  the  well  through  the  trap 
door  in  the  floor  of  the  shelter,  allowing  the  perforated  band  to 
unwind,  like  thread  from  a  spool,  and  being  careful  that  it  does 
not  kink.  Pass  the  end  of  the  band  upward  through  the  slot 
in  the  floor  and  the  proper  hole  in  the  table  and  through  slot 
(49)  in  the  base  of  the  register.  Bring  the  band  over  the 
sprocket  wheel,  but  do  not  let  the  metal  band  come  in  contact 
with  the  previously  adjusted  sprocket  wheel,  and  pass  it  down 
through  the  slot  (50)  in  the  base  of  the  machine.  Through  one 
of  the  holes  in  the  band  put  an  adjusting  pin,  so  that  it  will  rest 
across  the  slot  (50)  and  prevent  the  metal  band  pulling  over 
the  sprocket  wheel.  Allow  sufficient  length  of  tape  below  the 
floor  so  that  the  float  may  freely  drop  the  full  depth  of  the  well. 
Then  attach  the  counterweight  (51)  to  the  metal  band.  Take 
the  pin  out  of  the  bronze  band,  and  having  the  band  taut  on  the 
float  side,  lower  the  counterweight  slowly,  and  carefully  fit  the 
perforated  band  over  the  spines  on  the  sprocket  wheel.  Com- 
pare the  figures  on  the  type  wheels  (6  and  7)  with  the  exact 
stage  of  the  water  in  the  well  and  if  they  disagree  with  the 
water  stage  reading,  having  moved  a  small  amount  when  the 
perforations  of  the  band  were  fitted  to  the  spines,  this  small 
variation  may  be  corrected  and  the  figures  brought  to  the  cor- 
rect reading  by  opening  clamp  (48),  thus  changing  the  length 
of  the  perforated  band.  After  making  this  adjustment,  tighten 
the  two  clamp  screws.  Before  raising  the  float  to  make  this 
correction,  put  an  adjusting  pin  through  the  tape  across  the  slot 
in  the  base  on  the  counterweight  side,  so  that  the  weight  will 
not  drop  suddenly.  Rapid  revolution  of  the  sprocket  may 
damage  the  mechanism  that  changes  from  one  foot  mark  to 
another  on  the  type  wheel,  because  this  mechanism  is  so  con- 
structed that  it  works  extremely  fast  under  normal  operating 
conditions.  Once  the  metal  band  is  adjusted  it  will  hold  its 
adjustment  indefinitely. 


WATER    STAGE    REGISTERS 99 

The  clock  in  the  register  is  shipped  with  the  escapement  (9) 
out  of  mesh  with  the  clock  train.  To  set  the  clock  to  the  correct 
time,  turn  the  large  gear  (53)  between  the  clock  plates,  so  that 
the  hands  will  move  in  a  clockwise  direction.  Do  not  touch  the 
hands.  Loosen  the  milled  head  nut  (12)  on  the  inside  of  the 
front  plate  of  the  clock;  then  turn  the  milled  head  screw  (14) 
on  the  right  hand  edge  of  the  front  plate,  until  it  comes  to  a 
stop,  but  do  not  force  it,  and  the  escapement  will  then  be  in 
mesh  with  the  clock  gears.  Tighten  the  milled  head  nut  (12) 
gently.  Next  place  the  chain  over  the  sprocket  wheel  (22) 
under  the  clock,  and  hang  the  heavy  clock  weight  on  the  end  of 
chain  (54)  on  the  left  side  of  the  sprocket  wheel.  When  hang- 
ing the  weight  on  the  chain,  lower  the  weight  gently  in  order  not 
to  damage  the  winding  mechanism.  When  winding  the  clock, 
use  the  left  hand  to  raise  the  weight,  and  the  right  hand  to  pull 
down  the  right  hand  end  of  the  clock  chain. 

A  locking  device  (10)  on  the  back  frame  of  the  clock  is 
used  to  keep  the  weight  from  falling  when  the  escapement  is 
thrown  out  of  mesh  with  the  clock  train.  In  locking  the  clock 
train  do  not  force  the  lever  on  the  tops  of  the  gear  teeth,  or  the 
bearing  on  the  gear  shaft  may  be  damaged.  Before  throwing 
the  escapement  out  of  mesh,  always  lock  the  clock  train  if  the 
weight  is  on  the  clock.  The  escapement  would  be  badly  dam- 
aged should  the  gear  run  at  high  speed  just  as  it  was  leaving 
the  teeth  on  the  pinion  of  the  escapement. 

When  adjusting  the  clock,  with  the  escapement  out  of  mesh 
and  the  weight  on  the  chain,  hold  the  upper  large  gear  (53)  of 
the  clock  with  the  left  hand  and  unlock  the  train  with  the  right; 
then  allow  the  clock  train  to  revolve  until  the  hands  indicate 
the  correct  time.  Use  the  left  hand  as  a  brake  and  almost  stop 
the  clock  just  before  the  high  part  of  the  cam  reaches  the  roller 
on  the  hammer,  and  immediately  after  it  passes.  This  method 
must  be  followed  exactly,  or  else  the  small  roller  will  strike 
the  cam,  be  damaged,  and  forced  out  of  adjustment. 

Registers  are  shipped  from  the  factory  with  the  white  record 
paper  and  the  carbon  paper  in  place  and  properly  threaded 
around  the  type  wheels.  The  weights  on  the  paper  winding 
mechanism  should  be  hung  in  the  same  careful  manner  as  the 
clock  weights.  To  wind  the  paper  mechanism,  use  the  left 


100  W.  &  L.  E.  GURLEY,  TROY,  NEW  YORK 

hand  to  raise  the  weight  and  the  right  to  pull  down  the  right 
hand  end  of  the  paper  chain. 

The  locking  device  on  the  back  frame  of  the  register  should 
be  used  whenever  the  paper  is  being  put  on  or  taken  off  the 
instrument.  If  the  gear  train  is  not  locked  before  taking  off 
the  paper  the  weight  will  drop  into  the  well. 

When  the  record  is  changed,  about  a  foot  of  white  paper 
should  be  left  beyond  the  last  printed  record  for  facility  of 
handling  in  the  office,  as  well  as  for  notes  made  at  the  time  of 
removal  to  show  the  time  and  hook  gage  reading.  Both  the 
white  and  the  carbon  papers  should  be  removed  when  changing 
the  record. 

To  change  the  record,  lock  the  gear  train  and  remove  the 
large  round  nuts  on  reels  (25  and  26),  and  then  remove  the  side 
plates  of  the  receiving  spools.  This  may  be  done  by  turning 
the  large  round  nuts  to  the  left,  being  careful  not  to  let  them 
drop  when  they  are  completely  unscrewed  from  the  reel  hub. 
Do  not  remove  the  small  hexagonal  nuts  on  the  reels  (25  and 
26)  from  the  end  of  the  shaft  while  the  paper  weight  is  on  the 
chain,  because  the  gears  of  the  train  might  become  disengaged 
and  thereupon  the  weight  would  drop. 

After  taking  both  spools  of  paper  from  the  receiving  rolls 
(25  and  26),  press  the  paper  tubes  onto  the  reel  pins  and  bring 
the  strip  of  carbon  paper  over  the  type  wheels  and  around  the 
under  side  of  spool  (25).  Attach  it  to  the  circumference  of 
the  paper  tube  by  means  of  a  short  piece  of  gummed  paper, 
leaving  enough  carbon  paper  to  make  two  or  three  turns  around 
the  paper  spool.  Release  the  locking  device  (33),  whereupon 
the  mechanism  will  take  up  the  slack  in  the  carbon  paper  which 
will  sustain  the  weight  (56).  Place  the  white  paper  over  the 
type  wheels  and  over  the  upper  right  hand  receiving  spool  (26), 
being  sure  that  the  pins  on  the  time  type  wheels  perforate  the 
white  paper  also.  Press  a  paper  tube  on  the  pins  of  this  reel 
and  fasten  the  end  of  the  white  paper  to  the  circumference  of 
the  paper  spool  with  gummed  paper,  having  the  white  paper 
taut.  Take  care  to  see  that  both  strips  of  paper  have  the  same 
tension  between  the  type  wheels  and  the  receiving  reels,  and 
that  both  strips  of  paper  are  close  to  the  flange  of  the  time  type 
wheel.  Replace  the  side  plates  on  the  receiving  reels  and  put 
on  the  round  nuts, 


WATER    STAGE    REGISTERS  101 


It  will  be  necessary  to  oil  and  clean  the,;  brings  on  the 
instrument  only  once  a  year,  with  the  exception  of  tlie  .iwo  lower 
bearings  on  the  clock  plates  and  the  small  toller  On  'the  .hammer; 
and  these  should  have  a  drop  of  oil  once  in  three  '  nionths  :  :\To 
oil  the  instrument,  use  only  the  best  watch  oil  that  is  sent  with 
it,  and  which  will  prevent  the  instrument  from  sticking  in 
extreme  cold  weather.  The  oil  should  be  applied  carefully  to 
the  bearings,  using  a  wire  for  that  purpose.  Never  apply  oil 
to  the  teeth  of  any  of  the  clock  gears  except  (18)  which  may  be 
oiled  with  a  good  oil. 

The  lower  bearings  in  the  clock  frame  are  covered  with 
small  caps  having  oil  holes  on  the  upper  side.  The  bearings 
above  have  no  oil  holes  or  caps,  so  that  the  drop  of  oil  should 
be  put  on  the  shaft  next  to  the  bearings.  The  internal  mechan- 
ism of  the  type  wheels  should  be  oiled  once  a  year,  but  it  is  not 
necessary  to  take  the  type  wheels  apart  to  clean  or  oil  them. 
When  oiling  the  type  wheel  gears,  remove  the  white  and  carbon 
papers  from  them  and  place  a  cloth  under  the  wheels  to  catch 
any  surplus  oil  that  may  run  down  between  them.  Also  take 
the  perforated  phosphor  bronze  band  off  the  sprocket  wheel  so 
that  it  will  be  possible  to  turn  the  sprocket  wheel  until  the 
center  type  wheel  has  made  at  least  one  complete  revolution  in 
each  direction,  during  which  time  the  sprocket  wheel  will  have 
made  seventy-two  revolutions.  In  passing  from  one  foot  mark 
to  another  turn  the  sprocket  wheel  slowly.  Before  taking  the 
metal  band  off  the  sprocket  wheel  put  a  mark  with  a  soft  pencil 
on  both  band  and  sprocket  wheel  flange  so  that  the  band  may  be 
put  back  quickly  into  the  same  position.  Raise  the  counter- 
weight (51)  about  6  inches  and  put  a  pin  through  the  same 
perforated  band  at  the  base  of  the  instrument  to  support  the 
weight  and  use  a  piece  of  cord  tied  to  the  top  of  the  register 
to  loop  up  the  tape  so  that  it  will  not  be  damaged  during  the 
operation. 

The  small  screw  in  the  center  of  the  shaft  that  supports  the 
sprocket  and  type  wheels  should  be  removed  and  in  its  place 
should  be  screwed  the  small  pump  furnished  for  that  purpose, 
filled  with  oil.  The  oil  should  be  forced  in  as  quickly  as  possi- 
ble and  the  operation  repeated  two  or  three  times  until  the  oil 
runs  out  between  the  type  wheels. 


102  W.  &  L.  E.  GURLEY,  TROY,  NEW  YORK 

Gurley  Graphic  Water  Stage  Registers 

„.  c«  «  .Normal  Vertical  Range,  0  to  10  feet 
\\    . .-  >         Time  Scale,  7  days,  4  days,  or  1  day 
Patented  August  4,  1914. 

Fig.  48  on  page  105  illustrates  an  improved  Graphic 
Register  having  several  unique  and  valuable  features.  It  is  of 
simple  construction,  with  few  parts;  is  designed  for  easy 
operation,  and  adapted  for  a  wide  range  of  conditions.  Its 
construction  is  such  that  no  lost  motion  will  develop  from 
continuous  service  and  it  can  be  operated  with  minimum  care 
and  expense. 

The  following  vertical  scales  can  be  furnished: 

0  to  1      foot,  0  to    5  feet,  0  to  15  feet, 

0  to  V/2  feet,  0  to    6  feet,  0  to  20  feet, 

Oto2      feet,  Oto    8  feet,  0  to    V/2  meters, 

0  to  3      feet,  0  to  10  feet,  0  to    3      meters. 

0  to  4      feet,  0  to  12  feet, 

A  time  scale  of  1  day,  4  days,  or  7  days  can  be  furnished. 
As  the  record  of  stage  is  made  around  the  cylinder,  there  is  no 
limit  to  the  number  of  revolutions  possible  and,  hence,  to  the 
range  of  stage.  Therefore,  it  is  advisable  to  use  as  low  a  range 
as  possible  and  hence  a  more  accurate  reading  of  the  water 
stage.  If  occasionally  the  water  stage  is  above  the  range  of 
the  register,  no  trouble  will  be  experienced  in  reading  the 
water  level. 

ADVANTAGES  OF  GURLEY  GRAPHIC  REGISTERS 

Constancy  of  performance.  These  registers  have  been 
brought  to  their  present  high  state  of  excellence  through  years 
of  experiment.  They  have  been  developed  to  meet  actual  field 
conditions  and  are  performing  with  satisfaction  under  a  great 
variety  of  physical  conditions  in  all  parts  of  the  world.  Once 
properly  installed  they  require  a  minimum  of  attention. 

Low  cost.  From  the  standpoint  of  maintenance  and 
operation  Gurley  Water  Stage  Registers  represent  the  smallest 
possible  permanent  investment.  First  cost  is  also  reduced  to  a 
minimum  in  these  registers. 


WATER    STAGE    REGISTERS  103 

Mechanical  excellence.  Every  part  is  made  of  properly 
selected  material  finely  finished  to  insure  accuracy  of  operation. 
The  superior  mechanical  execution  is  accomplished  by  expert 
workmen  in  a  factory  that  has  been  producing  precision  instru- 
ments for  the  past  seventy-six  years. 

Reliability  of  the  time  parts.  Only  properly  adapted  clocks 
are  used  in  Gurley  registers.  They  have  properly  proportioned 
springs  and  the  escapement  has  jewelled  bearings  to  insure 
uniformity  of  rate.  The  time  screws  that  drive  the  pencil 
carriage  are  machined  with  great  accuracy,  thus  insuring  a 
uniform  movement  of  the  pencil  over  the  record  sheet. 

Unlimited  range  of  stage.  The  record  of  stage  is  made 
around  the  cylinder, —  the  time  record  along  its  axis  —  and  the 
cylinder  revolves  as  the  stage  changes.  There  is  no  limit  to 
the  number  of  revolutions  possible  and  hence  to  the  range  of 
stage,  while  at  the  same  time  the  movement  of  the  pencil  is 
always  in  one  direction,  which  assists  materially  in  interpreting 
the  record. 

Portability.  The  light  weight  of  these  registers  renders 
them  easily  portable  and  hence  adapts  them  to  those  special 
hydraulic  investigations  during  which  it  is  necessary  to  make 
frequent  changes  in  the  position  of  the  register. 

Type  of  record.  The  hydrograph  or  curve  recording  the 
stage  and  time  is  continuous  over  seven  days  and  presents 
graphically  all  of  the  fluctuations  of  stage  and  their  time  rela- 
tions. These  are  shown  at  a  glance  by  the  curve,  which  is  a 
picture  record  of  conditions.  This  type  of  record  has  many 
advantages  and  is  especially  useful  in  many  situations. 

Simplicity  of  the  record.  The  graphic  record  is  easily 
interpreted  and  where  desired,  may  be  quickly  reduced  to 
statistical  form. 

Precision  and  convenience  in  changing  record  sheets. 
The  record  sheets  are  cut  to  fit  the  cylinder  closely  and  the 
pencil  carriage  is  adjustable,  thus  insuring  an  accurate  setting 
of  the  time.  The  cylinder  is  securely  locked  in  place  while 
changing  the  record  sheet. 

The  permanence  of  the  setting  of  the  register  to  the  bench 
mark.  The  slot  which  extends  through  the  entire  length  of  the 
recording  cylinder  and  the  two  guards  that  prevent  the  perfor- 


104  W.  &  L.  E.  GURLEY,  TROY,  NEW  YORK 

ated  phosphor  bronze  band  from  accidentally  slipping  over  the 
spines  on  the  sprocket  wheel  when  the  record  is  being  taken  off, 
prevent  any  change  or  mistake  being  made  by  the  observer 
while  handling  the  register,  after  it  has  been  properly  installed 
by  the  engineer  in  charge. 

Changing  the  range  of  the  register.  Simplicity  in  changing 
two  gears  to  alter  the  range  of  the  register. 

Size  of  sheets.  The  record  sheets  are  adapted  to  convenient 
filing  in  standard  filing  equipment. 

CONSTRUCTION  OF  No.  633  GRAPHIC  REGISTER 
(The  part  numbers  refer  to  Fig.  49) 

The  base  (1)  supports  the  mechanism  of  the  register.  An 
extra  heavy  eight-day  clock  (2)  is  geared  to  two  time  screws 
(3),  which  are  supported  at  each  end  as  shown.  The  clock 
has  two  large  driving  springs  and  has  jewelled  bearings  on  the 
escapement  shaft.  Mounted  on  the  two  screws  is  the  pencil 
carriage  (4)  which  moves  forward  without  lost  motion,  in 
accord  with  the  turning  of  the  clock  shaft,  and  which  can  be 
lifted  up  from  one  position  on  the  screws  and  placed  in 
another,  if  desired.  The  pencil  (11)  is  held  in  the  pencil 
holder  (5),  which  is  free  to  move  vertically  in  a  cylinder  (6) 
projecting  from  the  upper  side  of  the  base  of  the  carriage  (4). 
The  pencil  holder  (5)  is  set  and  the  pencil  clamped  with  a 
screw  (25),  so  that  the  weight  of  the  pencil  and  holder  presses 
down  against  the  paper. 

The  record  cylinder  (8),  on  which  the  paper  is  placed,  is 
supported  at  each  end  as  shown.  The  sprocket  wheel  (7)  is 
attached  to  the  sprocket  wheel  shaft  (26),  and  revolves  in  an 
eccentric  bushing  (24).  The  gear  (20)  is  clamped  to  the 
sprocket  wheel  shaft  by  the  nut  (15).  The  gear  (21)  is 
clamped  to  the  cylinder  (8)  by  three  small  screws.  Two 
guards  (9  and  10)  prevent  the  band  from  slipping  over  the 
spines  on  the  sprocket  wheel.  The  bolt  (13)  is  used  to  lock 
the  cylinder,  while  changing  the  record  sheet.  Extending 
across  the  face  of  the  record  cylinder  (8)  is  a  slot  (12),  which 
indicates  the  point  of  zero  gage  height  on  the  record  cylinder. 
Idler  pulley  (17)  is  used  to  spread  the  metal  band  so  that  the 
counterweight  will  pass  the  float.  There  is  a  gear  (19)  on  the 


WATER    STAGE    REGISTERS 


105 


FIG.  48 — No.  633  Gurley  Graphic  Water  Stage  Register,  with 

Spring-driven  Clock. 

Normal  Range,  0  to  10  feet.     Time  Scale,  7  days. 

For  modifications  in  vertical  range  and  time  scale,  see  page  102. 

(See  Record  Sheet  illustrated  on  page  117.) 


106  W.  &  L.  E.  GURLEY,  TROY,  NEW  YORK 

center  clock  shaft.  The  capstan  head  screw  (18)  is  used  for 
clamping  the  gear  (19)  to  the  clock  shaft.  Three  nuts  (22) 
serve  to  hold  the  cover  on  the  register.  Clamp  screw  (23)  is 
to  clamp  the  bushing  in  the  base  ( 1 ) . 

In  the  standard  register  of  this  type  the  pencil  travels  along 
the  cylinder  in  seven  days  time  (one  inch  for  each  day).  It  is 
possible,  however,  to  substitute  other  screws  (3)  of  such  a  lead 
that  the  pencil  will  move  across  the  cylinder  in  four  days  (two 
inches  for  each  day),  or  screws  that  will  move  the  pencil  across 
the  cylinder  in  one  day  (eight  inches  per  day).  Such  an 
arrangement  would  be  very  desirable  in  situations  where  there 
are  sudden  fluctuations  in  stage. 

A  float  10  inches  in  diameter  and  5l/2  inches  thick,  is  used. 
The  whole  instrument  is  enclosed  in  a  sheet  metal  cover  (34), 


FIG.  49. —  Diagram  of  No.  633  Gurley  Graphic  Register. 


WATER    STAGE    REGISTERS 


107 


FIG.  50 — No.  636  Gurley  Graphic  Water  Stage  Register,  with 

Weight-driven  Clock. 

Normal  Range,  0  to  10  feet     Time  Scale,  7  days. 

For  modifications  in  vertical  range  and  time  scale,  see  page  102. 

(See  Record  Sheet  illustrated  on  page  117.) 

15  inches  long,  8/4  inches  wide  and  11/4  inches  high,  which 
makes  it  waterproof  and  dustproof . 

Weight-driven  Graphic  Register  No.  636,  shown  in  Fig.  50, 
is  similar  to  Register  No.  633,  with  the  exception  of  the  clock, 
which  is  weight-driven,  the  weights  falling  at  the  rate  of  10 


108  W.  &  L.  E.  GURLEY,  TROY,  NEW  YORK 

inches  per  day.  If  this  register  is  set  high  enough  above  the 
water,  the  pencil  can  be  made  to  travel  across  the  paper  in  two 
weeks,  or  at  the  rate  of  /^  inch  per  day. 

INSTALLATION  AND  OPERATION  OF  GURLEY  GRAPHIC  REGISTERS 
Nos.  633  AND  636 

A  large  element  in  the  satisfactory  operation  of  an  auto- 
matic register  is  proper  installation.  The  results  from  the  best 
register  will  be  impaired  by  improper  installation,  whereas  a 
register  properly  installed  will  give  a  record  the  accuracy  of 
which  depends  solely  on  the  adequacy  of  the  instrument.  The 
value  of  approximate  results  is  not  commensurate  with  the 
expense  of  an  automatic  register;  therefore,  the  method  of 
installation  should  be  so  thorough  as  to  insure  accuracy. 

In  installing  an  automatic  register,  it  is  necessary  to  provide 
a  well  for  the  float,  connected  with  the  water  to  be  measured 
by  an  intake  pipe.  If  necessary,  a  valve  should  be  used  in  the 
well  on  the  intake  pipe,  so  that  the  water  can  be  throttled  to 
prevent  any  surge  appearing  on  the  record  sheet. 

To  place  the  register  permanently.  The  register  is  usually 
placed  on  a  table  having  holes  cut  for  the  phosphor  bronze  band. 
Place  the  register  in  its  proper  position  and  fasten  it  to  the 
table  by  the  quarter-inch  bolts  that  are  furnished.  Attach  the 
metal  band  to  the  float;  lower  the  float  to  the  surface  of  the 
water;  bring  the  metal  band  up  through  the  table  and  over 
the  sprocket  wheel;  then  down  through  the  table  and  attach 
the  counterweight. 

To  place  the  pencil  carriage  on  the  screws.  The  pencil 
carriage  is  engraved,  "Toward  clock".  It  is  important  to  place 
the  carriage  on  the  screws  in  the  correct  position.  To  do  this, 
tip  the  carriage  so  that  one  side  will  fit  on  the  screw,  then  swing 
down  as  on  a  hinge  until  it  rests  on  the  other  screw. 

To  set  the  pencil  to  the  exact  height.  Insert  the  record 
sheet  in  the  24  inch  deep  slot  which  extends  through  the  entire 
length  of  the  recording  cylinder.  This  will  hold  the  paper 
securely  and  always  bring  the  sheets  in  the  same  position  on 
the  cylinder.  Loosen  nut  (15)-.  The  pencil  point  being  the 
index,  hold  the  sprocket  wheel  so  it  cannot  move.  Turning  the 


WATER    STAGE    REGISTERS  109 

recording  cylinder  until  the  pencil  indicates  on  the  paper  the 
correct  height  of  the  water,  clamp  the  gear  (20)  to  the  sprocket 
wheel  (7)  with  the  nut  (15). 

To  set  the  pencil  to  the  exact  time,  loosen  the  capstan  head 
screw  (18),  revolve  the  screws  (3)  by  turning  gear  (19)  with 
an  adjusting  pin,  until  the  pencil  point  indicates  the  exact  time; 
hold  the  gear  (19)  with  an  adjusting  pin,  and  clamp  the  gear 
(19)  to  the  clock  shaft  with  the  screw  (18). 

To  change  the  record  sheet,  raise  the  float  by  turning  the 
record  cylinder  (8)  and  lock  it  by  the  bolt  (13),  thus  bringing 
the  slot  (12)  in  the  most  convenient  position.  Cut  the  adhesive 
paper  on  the  margin  of  the  record  sheet.  With  finger  on  the 
inside  of  the  cylinder  (8),  push  out  the  ends  of  the  record 
sheet,  which  can  readily  be  taken  off  from  the  outside  of  the 
cylinder.  Insert  the  corner  of  the  new  sheet  that  indicates  the 


FIG.  51 — Showing  method  of  inserting  ends  of  the  Record  Sheet 
in  the  Slot  in  the  Cylinder. 

highest  gage  height;  gradually  press  it  into  the  slot  until  the 
upper  end  of  the  sheet  is  in  the  slot;  bring  the  paper  around  the 
cylinder  and  insert  the  corner  of  the  sheet  marked  0,  pressing 
it  in  without  kinking  the  paper  until  that  end  is  in  slot  (12). 
(See  Fig.  51).  Stick  a  small  piece  of  adhesive  paper  on  the 
margin  and  over  the  slot.  When  folding  the  edge  of  the  record 
sheets,  be  careful  to  keep  the  folded  edge  straight  or  trouble 
will  be  experienced  in  inserting  the  record  sheet  in  the 
slot  in  the  cylinder. 

Care  of  the  record  sheets.  It  will  facilitate  putting  record 
sheets  on  the  cylinder  if  after  folding  the  edge,  about  twelve 
record  sheets  are  put  in  a  2-inch  paper  tube  with  rulings  toward 


110  W.  &  L.  E.  GURLEY,  TROY,  NEW  YORK 

the  outside.  Roll  and  put  one  sheet  in  at  a  time,  so  when  one 
is  to  be  put  on  the  register,  it  will  not  be  necessary  to  take  all 
of  the  sheets  out  of  the  tube.  Keep  the  sheets  in  a  dry  place, 
so  that  the  paper  will  be  hard  while  inserting  the  record  sheet 
in  the  cylinder.  If  it  is  desirable  to  keep  the  record  sheets  in 
the  gage  house,  the  paper  tube  with  the  record  sheets  should  be 
kept  in  a  two-quart  fruit  jar,  and  when  taking  record  sheets  out, 
open  and  close  the  jar  as  quickly  as  possible.  If  the  atmosphere 
is  damp  when  filling  the  jar  with  record  sheets,  place  the  jar 
with  the  sheets  in  a  hot  place  and  when  heated  thoroughly,  put 
a  rubber  ring  on  the  jar  and  screw  on  the  cover. 

To  oil  the  register.  The  clock  will  run  two  years  with  one 
oiling;  however,  if  it  stands  idle  for  one  month,  it  will  be 
necessary  to  take  off  the  hands  and  face  and  oil  it  with  the  best 
clock  oil.  The  bearings  of  the  screws  and  of  the  cylinder 
should  be  oiled  with  the  above  mentioned  oil  about  four  times 
a  year.  A  very  small  amount  of  oil  should  be  used  on  the 
screws  every  month.  A  fine  wire  should  be  used  in  applying 
the  oil. 

INSTRUCTION  FOR  CHANGING  THE  RANGE  OF  GURLEY  GRAPHIC 
REGISTERS  Nos.  633  AND  636 

First.  Remove  nut  (15)  under  the  cylinder  which  clamps 
small  gear  (20). 

Second.  Remove  the  two  hexagonal  nuts  (22),  support 
cylinder  (8)  and  time  screws  (3)  so  that  they  cannot  fall  out 
and  become  strained ;  remove  the  back  bearing,  then  the  cylinder 
and  time  screws. 

Third.  Change  large  gear  (21)  on  cylinder,  and  small 
gear  (20)  on  sprocket  wheel  shaft  (26). 

Fourth.  Loosen  clamp  screw  (23)  under  clock,  turn  eccen- 
tric bushing  (24)  to  lowest  point.  (Be  sure  that  bearings  are 
clean  and  oiled.) 

Fifth.  Replace  cylinder  and  time  screws.  (The  time  screw 
gears  and  the  center  gear  (19)  on  the  clock  are  marked  "Front" 
"Back." 

Sixth.  Turn  the  eccentric  bushing  (24)  until  there  is  a 
very  slight  play  in  meshing  the  range  gears.  Then  tighten  the 
large  clamp  screw  (23). 

Seventh.  Set  the  pencil  to  indicate  the  correct  height 
of  the  water  and  tighten  nut  (15). 


WATER    STAGE    REGISTERS  111 

Gurley  Graphic  Water  Stage  Register 

Normal  Vertical  Range,  0  to  1  foot  —  Natural  Scale. 
Time  Scale,  7  Days,  4  Days,  or  1  Day. 

Patented  August  4,  1914. 

This  register  may  be  used  as  a  natural  scale  graphic  register 
of  great  accuracy  for  a  normal  range  of  one  foot.  Multiples 
thereof  are  recorded  as  complete  revolutions  of  the  cylinder. 

The  float  furnished  with  the  register  is  10  inches  in  diameter. 
The  power  of  the  weight  of  a  column  of  water  10  inches  in 
diameter  and  1/100  of  a  foot  high  is  5.47  ounces.  Thus  this 
float  gives  great  lifting  power  and  corresponding  accuracy. 

The  natural  scale  register  is  designed  to  meet  those  require- 
ments which  demand  a  full  size  record  of  stage.  As  usually 
constructed  the  time  scale  is  1  inch  per  day,  but  it  is  possible  to 
arrange  special  screws  to  other  scales.  This  register  is 
especially  adapted  to  the  measurement  of  the  flow  of  any  liquid 
over  weirs.  It  will  give  the  height  of  liquid  on  the  weir  with 
great  precision.  For  this  purpose  it  is  easily  applied  to 

(  1)  Sewage  disposal  works, 

(  2)  Sanitary  sewers, 

(  3)  Irrigation  works, 

(  4)  Venturi  flumes. 

It  is  equally  well  adapted  to  use 

(5)  In  stream  gaging, 

(   6)  On  power  canals, 

(   7)  On  irrigation  canals, 

(   8)  On  navigation  canals, 

(9)  On  drainage  canals, 

(10)  In  reservoirs  of  all  kinds, 

(11)  In  measuring  flow  from  pumps,  wells,  etc. 

(12)  As  a  portable  gage  for  use  in  special  studies 

and  investigations. 

Its  construction  is  such  that  no  lost  motion  will  develop 
from  continuous  service  and  it  can  be  operated  with  minimum 
care  and  expense.  This  instrument  is  a  perfect  weir  gage  and 


112  W.  &  L.  E.  GURLEY,  TROY,  NEW  YORK 


FIG.  52 — No.  634  Gurley  Graphic  Water  Stage  Register. 

Normal  Range,  0  to  1  foot — Natural  Scale.     Time  Scale,  7  days. 

(See  Record  Sheet  illustrated  on  page  118.) 

If  this  register  is  equipped  with  a  sprocket  wheel  2  feet  in  circumfer- 
ence, instead  of  1  foot,  as  on  Register  No.  63>t,  the  range  of  the  instrument 
is  from  0  to  2  feet,  and  it  is  Kncwn  as  Register  No.  634-A. 


WATER    STAGE    REGISTERS  113 

has  no  equal  in  simplicity  of  construction,  accuracy,  ease  of 
operation,  and  durability. 

These  Gurley  registers  are  being  used  extensively  by 
different  Departments  of  the  United  States  Government;  also 
by  many  municipalities  in  connection  with  their  sewer  systems 
and  sewage  disposal  plants. 

ADVANTAGES  OF  GURLEY  GRAPHIC   REGISTERS 

The  advantages  of  Registers  Nos.  634  and  634-A  are  the 
same  as  those  given  under  Registers  Nos.  633  and  636,  on 
pages  102  to  104. 

CONSTRUCTION  OF  No.  634  GRAPHIC  REGISTER 
(The  part  numbers  refer  to  Fig.  53) 

The  base  (1)  supports  the  mechanism  of  the  register.  An 
extra  heavy  eight-day  clock  (2)  is  geared  to  two  time  screws 
(3)  supported  at  each  end,  as  shown.  The  clock  has  two  large 
driving  springs  and  has  jewelled  bearings  on  the  escapement 
shaft.  Mounted  on  the  two  screws  is  the  pencil  carriage  (6) 
which  moves  forward  without  lost  motion,  in  accord  with  the 
turning  of  the  clock  shaft,  and  which  can  be  lifted  up  from  one 
position  on  the  screws  and  placed  in  another,  if  desired.  The 
pencil  (11)  is  held  in  a  pencil  holder  (5)  which  is  free  to  move 
vertically  in  a  cylinder  projecting  from  the  upper  side  of  the 
base  of  the  carriage  (4).  The  pencil  holder  (5)  is  set  and 
clamped  with  a  screw,  so  that  the  weight  of  the  pencil  and  the 
holder  presses  down  against  the  paper.  The  recording  cylinder 
(8),  on  which  the  paper  is  placed,  is  supported  at  each  end, 
as  shown.  The  sprocket  wheel  (7)  is  movable  on  the  cylinder 
axis  and  is  clamped  to  the  cylinder  (8)  by  the  nut  (15).  Two 
guards  (9  and  10)  prevent  the  band  from  slipping  over  the 
spines  on  the  sprocket  wheel,  and  bolt  (13)  is  used  to  lock  the 
cylinder,  while  changing  the  record  sheet.  Extending  across 
the  face  of  the  recording  cylinder  (8)  is  a  slot  (12),  which 
indicates  the  point  of  zero  gage  height  on  the  record  cylinder. 

In  the  standard  register  of  this  type  the  pencil  travels  along 
the  cylinder  in  seven  days  time.  It  is  possible,  however,  to 
substitute  other  screws  (3)  of  such  a  lead  that  the  pencil  will 


114  W.  &  L.  E.  GURLEY,  TROY,  NEW  YORK 


move  across  the  cylinder  in  either  four  days,  or  twenty-four 
hours.  Such  an  arrangement  would  be  very  desirable  in 
situations  where  there  are  sudden  fluctuations  in  stage. 

Idler  pulleys  (17)  are  to  be  used  when  it  is  necessary  to 
allow  the  counterweight  to  pass  the  float.  On  the  center  clock 
shaft  is  a  gear  (19),  which  is  clamped  on  the  shaft  by  capstan 
head  screw  (18). 


FIG.  53. —  Diagram  of  No.  634  Gurley  Graphic  Register. 

A  float  10  inches  in  diameter  and  5^  inches  thick  is  used. 
The  whole  instrument  is  enclosed  in  a  sheet  metal  cover  (14), 
1524  inches  long,  ll/2  inches  wide,  and  9  inches  high,  which 
makes  it  water-proof  and  dust-proof.  The  extension  (16)  is 
for  locking  the  cover  on  the  register. 

INSTALLATION  AND  OPERATION  OF  GURLEY  GRAPHIC  REGISTERS 
Nos.  634  AND  634-A 

A  large  element  in  the  satisfactory  operation  of  an  auto- 
matic register  is  proper  installation.  The  results  from  the  best 
register  will  be  impaired  by  improper  installation,  whereas  a 
register  properly  installed  will  give  a  record  the  accuracy  of 


WATER    STAGE    REGISTERS  115 

which  depends  solely  on  the  adequacy  of  the  instrument.  The 
value  of  approximate  results  is  not  commensurate  with  the 
expense  of  an  automatic  register;  therefore,  the  method  of 
installation  should  be  so  thorough  as  to  insure  accuracy. 

In  installing  an  automatic  register,  it  is  necessary  to  provide 
a  well  for  the  float,  connected  with  the  water  to  be  measured 
by  an  intake  pipe.  If  necessary,  a  valve  should  be  used  in 
the  well  on  the  intake  pipe,  so  that  the  water  can  be  throttled  to 
prevent  any  surge  appearing  on  the  record  sheet. 

To  place  the  register  permanently.  The  register  is  usually 
placed  on  a  table  having  holes  cut  out  for  the  phosphor  bronze 
band.  Place  the  register  in  its  proper  position  and  fasten  it 
to  the  table  by  the  quarter-inch  bolts  that  are  furnished.  Attach 
the  metal  band  to  the  float;  lower  the  float  to  the  surface  of  the 
water;  bring  the  metal  band  up  through  the  table  and  over  the 
sprocket  wheel;  then  down  through  the  table  and  attach  the 
counterweight.  If  the  register  is  set  high  enough,  it  is 
unnecessary  to  pass  the  metal  band  over  the  pulleys  (17). 

To  place  the  pencil  carriage  on  the  screws.  The  pencil 
carriage  is  engraved,  "Toward  clock."  It  is  important  to  place 
the  carriage  on  the  screws  in  the  correct  position.  To  do  this, 
tip  the  carriage  so  that  one  side  will  fit  on  the  screw,  then  swing 
down  as  on  a  hinge  until  it  rests  on  the  other  screw. 

To  set  the  pencil  to  the  exact  height.  Insert  the  record 
sheet  in  the  %  inch  deep  slot  which  extends  through  the  entire 
length  of  the  recording  cylinder.  This  will  hold  the  paper 
securely  and  always  bring  the  sheets  in  the  same  position  on 
the  cylinder.  Loosen  the  nut  (15).  The  pencil  point  being 
the  index,  hold  the  sprocket  wheel  so  it  cannot  move;  turn  the 
recording  cylinder  until  the  pencil  indicates  on  the  paper  the 
correct  height  of  the  water;  and  clamp  the  sprocket  wheel  (7) 
to  the  cylinder  (8)  with  the  nut  (15). 

To  set  the  pencil  to  the  exact  time,  loosen  the  capstan  head 
screw  (18),  revolve  the  screws  (3)  by  turning  gear  (19)  with 
an  adjusting  pin  until  the  pencil  point  indicates  the  exact  time; 
hold  the  gear  (19)  with  an  adjusting  pin,  and  clamp  the  gear 
(19)  to  the  clock  shaft  with  the  screw  (18). 

To  change  the  record  sheet,  raise  the  float  by  turning  the 
record  cylinder  (8)  and  lock  it  by  the  bolt  (13),  thus  bringing 


116  W.  &  L.  E.  GURLEY,  TROY,  NEW  YORK 

the  slot  (12)  in  the  most  convenient  position.  Cut  the  adhesive 
paper  on  the  margin  of  the  record  sheet.  With  finger  on  the 
inside  of  the  cylinder  (8),  push  out  the  ends  of  the  record  sheet, 
which  can  readily  be  taken  off  from  the  outside  of  the  cylinder. 
Insert  the  corner  of  the  new  sheet  marked  1.00;  gradually 
press  it  into  the  slot  until  the  upper  end  of  the  sheet  is  in  the 
slot;  bring  the  paper  around  the  cylinder  and  insert  the  corner 
of  the  sheet  marked  0,  pressing  it  in  without  kinking  the  paper 
until  the  end  is  in  slot  (12).  (See  Fig.  51,  page  109).  Stick 
a  small  piece  of  adhesive  paper  on  the  margin  and  over  the 
slot.  When  folding  the  edge  of  the  record  sheets,  be  careful  to 
keep  the  folded  edge  straight,  or  trouble  will  be  experienced  in 
inserting  the  record  sheet  in  the  slot  in  the  cylinder. 

Care  of  the  record  sheets.  It  will  facilitate  putting  record 
sheets  on  the  cylinder  if  after  folding  the  edges,  about  twelve 
record  sheets  are  put  in  a  2-inch  paper  tube  with  rulings  toward 
the  outside.  Roll  and  put  one  sheet  in  at  a  time,  so  when  one 
is  to  be  put  on  the  register,  it  will  not  be  necessary  to  take  all 
of  the  sheets  out  of  the  tube.  Keep  the  sheets  in  a  dry  place, 
so  that  the  paper  will  be  hard  while  inserting  the  record  sheet 
in  the  cylinder.  If  it  is  desirable  to  keep  the  record  sheets  in 
the  gage  house,  the  paper  tube  with  the  record  sheets  should 
be  kept  in  a  two-quart  fruit  jar,  and  when  taking  record  sheets 
out,  open  and  close  the  jar  as  quickly  as  possible.  If  the 
atmosphere  is  damp  when  filling  the  jar  with  record  sheets, 
place  the  jar  with  the  sheets  in  a  hot  place  and  when  heated 
thoroughly,  put  a  rubber  ring  on  the  jar  and  screw  on  the  cover. 

To  oil  the  register.  The  clock  will  run  two  years  with  one 
oiling;  however,  if  it  stands  idle  for  one  month,  it  will  be 
necessary  to  take  off  the  hands  and  face  and  oil  it  with  the  best 
clock  oil.  The  bearings  of  the  screws  and  of  the  cylinder 
should  be  oiled  with  the  above  mentioned  oil  about  four  times 
a  year.  A  very  small  amount  of  oil  should  be  used  on  the 
screws  every  month.  A  fine  wire  should  be  used  in  applying 
the  oil. 


WATER    STAGE    REGISTERS  117 


GURLEY    SEVEN    DAY  GRAPHIC    REGISTER 


FIG.  54— Record  Sheet  for  No.  633  or  No.  636  Graphic  Register. 

Normal  range,  0  to  10  feet.     Time  scale,  7  days. 

See  pages  104  and  107. 


118  W.  &  L.  E.  GURLEY,  TROY,  NEW  YORK 


FIG.  55 — Record  Sheet  for  No.  634  Graphic  Register. 

Normal  range,  0  to  1  foot — Natural  Scale.       Time  Scale,  7  days. 

See  page  112. 


WATER    STAGE    REGISTERS  119 

Gurley  Long  Distance  Graphic 
Water  Stage  Register 

Normal  Vertical  Range,  0  to  10  feet. 
Time  Scale,  7  Days,  4  Days,  or  1  Day. 

Patented  Nov.  19,  1918  and  Aug.  19,  1919 

Hydro-electric  power  companies  are  becoming  more  and 
more  interested  in  the  utilization  of  all  the  power  available. 
This  is  the  natural  result  of  the  high  cost  of  fuel  and  the  ever 
increasing  demand  for  electric  power.  One  of  the  pressing 
power  questions  of  today  is,  "How  much  water  is  being  wasted 
over  the  dam?" 

Modern  hydraulic  practice  has  demanded  a  precise  and 
rugged  instrument  which  can  be  depended  upon  to  accurately 
record  all  the  fluctuations  in  the  level  of  bodies  of  water  used 
for  commercial  purposes.  Instead  of  mailing,  telephoning  or 
telegraphing  readings  thus  made,  it  has  been  found  more  con- 
venient and  economical  to  use  a  register  which  records  or 
indicates  in  the  central  office  the  fluctuations  of  the  level  of  a 
distant  body  of  water. 

If  the  company  has  an  accurate  record  of  the  waste  water 
from  hour  to  hour  and  from  month  to  month,  it  is  able  to 
estimate  the  amount  of  secondary  power  which  may  be  profitably 
developed  and  sold,  provided  there  is  a  market.  The  infor- 
mation may  be  obtained  by  stationing  a  gauge  reader  at  the  dam, 
but  this  method  is  either  costly  or  inaccurate,  usually  both. 
Gurley  Registers  are  being  used  more  and  more  for  this  class 
of  work.  The  Gurley  Long  Distance  Graphic  Register  not 
only  furnishes  a  record  from  which  future  additions  are  planned, 
but  it  enables  plant  superintendents  to  control  efficiently  the 
operation  of  existing  plants. 

The  registers  may  be  used  by  city  water  works  superin- 
tendents to  indicate  at  a  glance  how  high  the  water  is  in  the  city 
reservoirs.  Similarly,  railroad  and  irrigation  engineers  may 
determine  the  height  of  the  water  in  distant  reservoirs  and  thus 
use  or  replenish  the  supply  advantageously. 


120  W.  &  L.  E.  GURLEY,  TROY,  NEW  YORK 


TYPE  OF  RECORD 

The  hydrograph  or  curve  recording  the  stage  and  time  is 
continuous  over  seven  days  and  presents  graphically  all  of  the 
fluctations  of  stage  and  their  time  relations.  These  are  shown 
at  a  glance  by  the  curve,  which  is  a  picture  record  of  conditions. 
The  advantages  of  this  type  of  record  are  readily  recognized. 

The  following  vertical  scales  can  be  furnished: 

0  to  1      foot,  0  to    5  feet,  0  to  15  feet, 

0  to  r/2  feet,  0  to    6  feet,  0  to  20  feet, 

0  to  2      feet,  0  to    8  feet,  0  to    V/2  meters, 

0  to  3      feet,  0  to  10  feet,  0  to    3  meters, 

0  to  4      feet,  0  to  12  feet, 

A  time  scale  of  1  day,  4  days,  or  7  days  can  be  furnished. 
As  the  record  of  stage  is  made  around  the  cylinder,  there  is 
no  limit  to  the  number  of  revolutions  possible,  and  hence  to  the 
range  of  stage.  Therefore,  it  is  advisable  to  use  as  low  a  range 
as  possible  and  obtain  a  more  accurate  reading  of  the  water 
stage.  If  occasionally  the  water  stage  is  above  the  nominal 
range  of  the  register,  no  trouble  will  be  experienced  in  reading 
and  recording  the  water  level. 

THE  SIMPLICITY  OF  THE  OUTFIT 

The  outfit  consists  of  a  float-operated  Sender  located  on  the 
river,  lake,  canal,  reservoir,  or  harbor  in  question,  and  elec- 
trically connected  to  a  Graphic  Register  having  a  special 
Receiving  Attachment.  If  desired,  the  Sender  may  operate  any 
number  of  Registers  and  Indicators. 

The  simplicity  of  the  construction  of  these  units  makes  them 
very  easy  to  install  and  insures  satisfactory  operation. 

The  advantages  of  Register  No.  637  are  the  same  as  those 
given  under  Registers  Nos.  633  and  636  on  pages  102  to  104. 


WATER    STAGE    REGISTERS 


121 


THE   LONG  DISTANCE   SENDER 

The  No.  638  Sender,  located  at  the  point  where  the  water 
level  is  to  be  measured,  is  operated  by  a  float,  20"  in  diameter, 
and  a  counterweight.  The  float  should  be  surrounded  by  a 
stilling  box  to  protect  it  from  either  waves  or  surges.  The 
Sender  is  equipped  with  two  electrical  contacts,  one  of  which 
closes  for  a  fraction  of  a  second  every  time  the  water  rises  1/20 
of  a  foot,  the  other,  when  the  float  falls  1/20  of  a  foot.  These 
contacts  are  so  designed  that  it  is  impossible  for  them  to  stick 


FIG.  56. —  No.  638  Float  Operated  Sender,  for 
Long  Distance  Graphic  Register. 

and  keep  the  circuit  closed,  thus  interfering  with  the  further 
operation  of  the  instrument.  They  were  developed  in  the  Gurley 
Factory,  and  have  been  subjected  to  tens  of  thousands  of  tests 
with  heavy  load,  and  up  to  250  volts,  without  any  failure  or 
even  a  sign  of  deterioration. 

As  stated  above,  one  Sender  will  operate  several  Registers, 
several  Indicators,  or  a  combination  of  one  or  more  Registers 
and  Indicators. 


122  W.  &  L.  E.  GURLEY,  TROY,  NEW  YORK 


THE    LONG    DISTANCE    REGISTER 

The  No.  637  Register  consists  of  a  Gurley  No.  633  Graphic 
Register  equipped  with  magnets  to  operate  the  drum.  This 
Register  which  is  the  result  of  years  of  experience  in  manu- 
facturing water  stage  registers  is  equipped  with  a  high  grade 
chronometer,  strengthened  with  specially  designed  bearings. 
This  clock  revolves  two  screws  which  carry  a  pencil  carriage 
along  the  top  of  a  horizontal  drum  on  which  the  record  is  made ; 
it  is  adjusted  in  the  ordinary  manner  to  record  standard  time. 
Attention  is  called  to  the  fact  that,  in  using  curves  for  calculation 


FIG.  57. —  No.  637  Long  Distance  Graphic  Water  Stage  Register. 

of  quantity  of  water  discharged,  the  time  scale  is  just  as  impor- 
tant as  the  elevation  scale;  consequently  the  Gurley  clock 
mechanism  is  designed  and  manufactured  with  great  care. 

Instead  of  being  directly  connected  to  the  float,  as  in  the  No. 
633  Register,  the  drum  of  the  No.  637  Long  Distance  Register 
is  revolved  by  two  sets  of  magnets  operating  a  ratchet  wheel, 
in  one  direction  when  the  water  is  rising,  and  in  the  reverse 
direction,  when  falling.  These  magnets  are  energized  when- 
ever the  circut  is  closed  by  the  operation  of  the  No.  638  Sender. 
The  operating  arms  which  are  attached  to  the  magnet  armatures 


WATER    STAGE    REGISTERS 


123 


turn  the  ratchet  wheel  one  notch  each  time  either  magnet  is 
energized.  These  arms  also  carry  interlocking  stops  which 
positively  prevent  the  wheel  from  turning  more  than  one  notch, 
until  the  magnet  is  released  and  ready  for  the  next  step.  The 
rear  end  of  the  drum  carries  a  dial  and  pointer,  so  that  the  water 
stage  may  be  read  directly  without  looking  at  the  chart. 

THE  CONSTRUCTION   OF  NO.   637  LONG  DISTANCE  REGISTER 

The  base  (1)  supports  the  mechanism  of  the  register.  An 
extra  heavy  eight-day  clock  (2)  is  geared  to  two  time  screws  (3), 
which  are  supported  at  each  end  as  shown.  The  clock  has  two 
large  driving  springs  and  has  jeweled  bearings  on  the  escapement 


FIG.  58. —  No.  637  Long  Distance  Register 

shaft.  Mounted  on  two  screws  is  the  pencil  carriage  (4)  which 
moves  forward  without  lost  motion,  in  accord  with  the  turning 
of  the  clock  shaft,  and  which  can  be  lifted  up  from  one  position 
on  the  screws  and  placed  in  another,  if  desired.  The  pencil 
(11)  is  held  in  the  pencil  holder  (5),  which  is  free  to  move 
vertically  in  a  cylinder  (6)  projecting  from  the  upper  side  of 
the  base  of  the  carriage  (4).  The  pencil  holder  (5)  is  set  and 
the  pencil  clamped  with  a  screw  (25),  so  that  the  weight  of  the 
pencil  and  holder  presses  down  against  the  paper. 


124  W.  &  L.  E.  GURLEY,  TROY,  NEW  YORK 

The  record  cylinder  (8),  on  which  the  paper  is  placed,  is 
supported  at  each  end  as  shown. 

When  the  magnets  (29)  are  energized  by  the  Sender,  the 
armatures  (27)  are  moved  downward  and  they  revolve  the 
ratchet  wheel  (28)  which  is  attached  to  ratchet  wheel  shaft  (26) 
and  revolves  in  eccentric  bushing  (24). 

The  gear  (20)  is  clamped  to  the  sprocket  wheel  shaft  by 
the  nut  (15).  The  gear  (21)  is  clamped  to  the  cylinder  (8) 
by  three  small  screws.  The  bolt  (13)  is  used  to  lock  the 
cylinder,  while  changing  the  record  sheet.  Extending  across 
the  face  of  the  record  cylinder  (8)  is  a  slot  (12)  which  indicates 
the  point  of  zero  gage  height  on  the  record  cylinder. 

THE    LONG    DISTANCE    INDICATOR 

Where  an  indication  of  some  distant  water  level  is  desired 
and  a  record  is  unnecessary,  the  need  is  met  by  the  No.  639 
Long  Distance  Water  Stage  Indicator,  operated  by  the  No.  638 


FIG.  59. —  No.  639  Indicator,  front  and  rear  views. 

Sender.  A  moving  Pointer  indicating  on  a  dial  12  inches  in 
diameter,  is  operated  by  electro-magnets  and  a  ratchet  wheel, 
in  the  same  manner  as  the  Long  Distance  Register.  This  dial 
shows  at  any  instant  the  height  of  the  water  at  the  distant  gage 
house. 

One  or  more  of  these  Indicators  may  be  put  on  the  same 
circuit  with  a  Register.  In  many  instances,  it  is  desirable  to 
have  an  Indicator  in  the  power  plant  for  the  information  of 
the  operator,  while  the  Register  is  placed  in  the  office  of  the 
chief  engineer,  where  the  records  are  kept  and  studied. 


WATER    STAGE    REGISTERS 


125 


THE  ELECTRICAL  CIRCUIT  FOR  THE  LONG  DISTANCE  OUTFIT 

The  circuits  necessary  to  connect  the  Sender  and  Receiver 
may  consist  either  of  3  wires  or  2  wires  and  a  "ground" 
return.  A  satisfactory  circuit  may  be  obtained  by  leasing  a 
private  telephone  line  of  2  wires.  The  current  required  to 
operate  the  receiver  is  0.1  ampere  and  this  flows  through  the 
line  for  only  a  fraction  of  a  second  when  the  contact  is  made. 
At  all  other  times  the  circuits  are  open.  The  resistance  of  the 
coils  is  40  ohms.  The  power  may  be  supplied  by  dry  cells  or 
storage  batteries.  For  long  distances  it  is  better  to  take  it  from 
a  110  volt  D.  C.  power  or  storage  battery  line,  where  the  current 
is  uninterrupted.  A  lamp  placed  in  the  circuit  will  cut  down 
the  current  to  the  proper  amount,  that  is,  0.1  ampere.  The 
power  may  be  connected  into  the  circuit  at  either  the  Sender 
or  Receiver  end,  or  in  case  of  an  all  metallic  circuit,  at  any 
point  in  the  line.  By  the  proper  use  of  condensers,  any  number 
of  private  telephones  may  be  used  on  the  same  line  without 
interfering  with  the  operation  of  the  instruments. 


FIG.  GO. —  Wiring  Diagram  showing  the  method  generally  used  in 
installing   Gurley    Long   Distance    Registers. 


126  W.  &  L.  E.  GURLEY,  TROY,  NEW  YORK 


Cosic/erjser 


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Ca//be//s 


Condenser  D° 


Call  be/ /s 


L  oca/  bat  fere/  &r-/c/g/ng 
wa//  fe/ephone,  £  £>ar; 
/6OO  0/7/77  rsnger  m 'i////- 


r-»|__J     SOO  ohms 


p?L_l     £OOo^s77S 
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£?//-/-ec/  Ct//-/-es?/ 
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L/ve  w/re 


//O 


FIG.  61.— Wiring  Diagram  of  the  installation  of  a  Gurley  Long  Distance 
Register  at  Topeka,   Kansas. 


WATER    STAGE    REGISTERS 


127 


INSTALLATION  AND  OPERATION  OF  THE  GURLEY 
LONG  DISTANCE  OUTFIT 

The  Stilling  Box.  The  minimum  dimension  of  the  stilling 
box  is  24".  In  order  to  install  a  hook  gage  and  a  heating  unit, 
the  stilling  box  should  be  36"  square,  and  a  larger  size  is  pref- 
erable. Build  the  stilling  box  down  to  the  bottom  of  the  water 
to  prevent  waves  from  agitating  the  float.  A  2"  lever  throttle 
valve  should  be  placed  in  the  side  of  the  box  below  the  lowest 
stage.  By  regulating  this,  surges  in  the  stilling  box  can  be 
prevented. 

To  lay  out  the  Table  and  Floor.  The  dimensions  to  be 
used  are  given  in  Figs.  62  and  63.  Carefully  locate  holes  (1) 
and  (2)  in  the  floor  so  that  neither  the  float  nor  the  counter- 
weight will  touch  the  sides  of  the  stilling  box  at  any  stage  of 


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FIG.  62. —  Diagram  showing  location  of  holes  in  table  and  floor 
of  Gage  House  for  Long  Distance  Register. 

the  water.  Locate  point  (C)  in  the  table  vertically  over  a  point 
midway  between  the  holes  1  and  2.  From  point  G  the  remaining 
holes,  3,  4,  5,  6,  7,  8,  9,  10,  11,  in  the  table  can  be  located  as 
shown  in  Fig.  62  or  by  using  the  template  shipped  with  the 
Sender. 

To  set  up  the  Sender.  Remove  the  lower  nuts  and  washers 
from  the  four  corner  rods  and  place  the  rods  in  the  proper 
holes.  Level  the  base  accurately,  both  longitudinally  and 
transversely,  by  means  of  the  four  adjusting  nuts  and  a  good 
carpenter's  or  machinist's  level  applied  to  the  base  of  the  Sender. 


128  W.  &  L.  E.  GURLEY,  TROY,  NEW  YORK 


16 


12 


15 


1-2  Fbssaye  for  Tape  ff/Bborj 

SucxiESTiON  FOR  TRAP  DOOR 


^-M- •'.-..•  :•  i    Dt 


FIG.  63. —  Details  of  installation  of  a  No.  638  Long  Distance  Sender. 


WATER    STAGE    REGISTERS  129 

Replace  the  washers  and  nuts  on  the  bottom  of  the  corner  rods, 
tightening  them  against  the  lower  surface  of  the  table,  being 
sure  not  to  disturbe  the  level  of  the  Sender. 

To  assemble  the  Float,  Tape  and  Counterweight.  Attach 
the  tape  16  to  the  float  12  and  lower  it  into  the  water.  After 
threading  the  tape  upward  through  hole  (1)  and  one  of  the 
pulleys,  holes  (3)  and  (13),  over  the  sprocket  wheel,  and 
downward  through  holes  14,  4,  the  remaining  pulley  and  hole 
(2),  attach  it  to  the  counterweight  15.  Fasten  the  idler  pulleys 
at  holes  (1)  and  (2)  in  the  floor  so  that  the  tape  does  not  touch 
the  base  of  the  Register,  the  table  or  the  floor,  at  points  (1), 
(3),  (13),  (14),  (4),  or  (2).  The  pulleys  must  be  lined  up 
so  the  tape  does  not  bind  against  the  flange  of  either  pulley, 
or  thrust  the  pulleys  against  the  ends  of  their  bearings. 

To  adjust  the  Sender.  The  reading  of  the  dial  on  the 
front  of  the  sprocket  wheel  should  be  the  same  as  the  hook 
gage  (or  staff  gage)  reading  in  the  gage  house.  Differences  of 
more  than  one  inch  are  adjusted  by  lifting  the  tape  above  the 
splines,  turning  the  sprocketwheel  to  its  proper  position  and 
engaging  the  tape  on  the  splines.  Differences  of  less  than  one 
inch  are  adjusted  by  raising  or  lowering  the  base  of  the  Sender, 
being  careful  to  level  the  base.  Thread  the  wire  through  the 
holes  in  the  base  of  the  Sender  and  attach  thm  to  the  terminals. 

To  set  up  the  Register.  Mount  the  Register  upon  any 
convenient  shelf  or  table  which  is  large  enough  to  support  the 
base,  the  dimensions  of  which  are,  width,  11  ^",  length,  18  */%". 
It  is  not  necessary  to  screw  the  base  fast  to  its  supporting  table 
or  shelf.  Bring  the  wires  up  through  the  base  of  the  Register 
and  attach  them  to  the  terminals. 

The  operation  of  the  No.  638  Register  is  practically 
the  same  as  that  of  Registers  No.  634  and  No.  634-A,  see  pages 
114  to  118. 


130  W.  &  L.  E.  GURLEY,  TROY,  NEW  YORK 


GURLEY  INDICATING  GAGE 


This  simple  and  ac- 
curate Indicating  Gage 
will  be  found  a  great 
help  in  the  checking  of 
gage  heights  in  stilling 
wells  in  which  auto- 
matic recording  gages 
are  installed.  It  can  be 
used  also  wherever 
water  levels  are  to  be 
observed. 

This  instrument  is 
designed  to  replace  the 
ordinary  hook,  chain 
and  staff  gages  where 
very  accurate  readings 
are  required.  The 
sprocket  wheel  is  one 
foot  in  circumference 
and  is  divided  into  100  parts,  and  the  feet  may  be  read  on  the 
counter  up  to  100.  This  gage  will  be  furnished  with  or 
without  the  float. 


FIG.   64. —  No.  639-A  Indicating  Gage. 


WATER    STAGE    REGISTERS 


131 


INSTALLATION  AND  SHELTER  OF  WATER 
STAGE  REGISTERS 

When  an  automatic  register  is  used  continuously  it  is 
necessary  to  provide  (1)  a  well  for  the  float  and  an  intake  pipe 
to  connect  the  well  with  the  river,  (2)  a  house  to  shelter  the 
register,  and  (3)  staff  or  hook  gages  referred  to  permanent 
bench  marks  for  use  in  checking  the  record  and  maintaining  the 
datum.  (See  Figs.  38  and  39).  For  temporary  use  as  in 
special  studies,  a  portable  shelter,  Figure  65,  may  be  used. 


FIG.  65. —  Portable  Shelter  installed  by  U.  S.  Geological  Survey  on 

Kinderhook  Creek  at  Rossman,  N.  Y.    The  insert  shows  the  outfit,  including 

a  Gurley  Graphic  Register,  packed  ready  to  carry. 

Proper  installation  is  so  large  an  element  in  the  satisfactory 
operation  of  an  automatic  water  stage  register  that  much  care 
should  be  taken  when  installing  the  equipment.  Results  from 
the  best  of  registers  will  be  impaired  by  improper  installation, 
whereas  a  register  properly  installed  will  give  a  record  whose 
accuracy  depends  solely  on  the  refinement  of  the  instrument. 
Much  care  in  installation  is,  therefore,  essential;  and,  if  the 


132  W.  &  L.  E.  GURLEY,  TROY,  NEW  YORK 

register  is  to  record  stream  heights  during  winter  months  and 
during  flood  stages,  the  installation  must  be  protected  from  cold 
and  from  floating  ice,  logs,  debris,  etc. 

In  the  ideal  structure,  illustrated  in  Fig.  21,  the  well  and 
the  house  should  be  located  far  enough  back  from  the  river  to 
be  out  of  danger  from  floating  ice  or  drift,  and  to  provide 
sufficient  protection  for  the  well  and  pipes  to  prevent  freezing. 
A  permanent  ladder  should  extend  to  the  bottom  of  the  well,  so 
that  the  float  and  intake  pipe  can  be  readily  inspected.  If  the 
installation  is  to  be  maintained  for  a  long  period  the  well  should 
be  lined  with  concrete,  otherwise  a  heavy  plank  lining  may  be 
used.  The  intake  pipe  should  be  placed  well  below  the  lowest 
stage  of  the  river  and  provided  with  a  screen  for  keeping  out 
fish  and  foreign  material.  It  should  also  be  provided  with  a 
gate  valve  where  it  enters  the  well,  so  that  the  flow  can  be 
reduced  if  necessary,  to  eliminate  wave  action,  or  entirely  shut 
off  for  purposes  of  inspection  or  for  repairs. 

Two  non-recording  gages,  referred  to  permanent  bench 
marks,  should  be  installed  with  each  automatic  register,  in  order 
to  check  the  readings  of  the  automatic  register  with  the  stage 
of  the  river.  One,  of  the  type  best  suited  to  the  locality,  should 
be  placed  in  the  river  and  the  other,  preferably  a  hook  gage, 
should  be  located  in  the  float  well  to  aid  in  setting  and  checking 
the  recording  register,  and,  by  comparison  with  the  river  gage, 
to  indicate  any  interruption  in  the  free  communication  with  the 
river.  The  river  gage  should  be  in  the  same  cross-section  of 
the  river,  as  the  intake  pipe,  care  being  taken  to  have  it  rest  on 
a  solid  foundation.  It  may,  however,  be  dispensed  with  by 
using  a  reference  point  so  located  that  the  elevation  of  the  water 
surface  can  be  readily  determined. 

The  well  is  essentially  a  stilling  box  for  the  float.  It  must 
be  large  enough  to  accommodate  the  float,  driving  and  counter 
weights,  and  the  hook  or  staff  gage,  from  extreme  low  to 
extreme  high  water,  and  to  permit  them  to  be  inspected  readily. 
Experience  shows  that  if  the  well  is  more  than  8  feet  deep  these 
conditions  are  met  best  by  a  well  2//2  by  5  feet  in  cross-section. 
For  wells  up  to  sixteen  feet  in  depth  this  cross-section  will  give, 
in  the  long  run,  greater  satisfaction  than  a  smaller  one,  while 
even  for  deeper  wells,  if  in  easily  excavated  material,  it  may 


WATER    STAGE    REGISTERS  133 

cost  no  more.  When  for  good  reason  high  priced  materials  of 
construction  are  used,  the  reduction  of  the  dimensions  of  the 
cross-section  to  3  by  4  feet  may  be  advantageous,  especially  if 
it  is  possible  to  provide  several  entrances  to  the  well  between 
high  and  low  water. 

The  materials  of  construction  suitable  for  lining  wells 
include  timber  (usually  treated  with  a  wood  preservative), 
brick,  vitrified  tile  pipe,  concrete,  plain  or  reinforced  in  mass, 
concrete  rings,  stone,  cast  iron  pipe,  riveted  steel  pipe,  and 
galvanized  wrought  iron  culvert  pipe. 

On  the  degree  of  certainty  with  which  the  useful  life  of  the 
station  may  be  predicted  will  depend  the  general  choice  of  the 
material  to  use  at  any  given  station,  longer  usefulness  requiring 
more  durable  material.  The  specific  choice  will  depend  on 
the  accessibility  of  the  station  and  on  the  availability  of  labor 
and  material. 

In  northern  latitudes  attention  must  be  given  to  the  possi- 
bility of  the  water  in  the  well  freezing,  with  the  consequent 
interruption  of  the  record,  but  in  a  well  properly  constructed 
and  placed  far  enough  back  from  the  river  there  should  be  no 
danger  from  frost,  even  in  temperature  as  low  as  30  degrees 
below  zero.  Several  methods  are  available,  the  choice  among 
them  being  made  on  the  basis  of  first  cost  versus  cost  of  opera- 
tion. Where  the  first  method  is  used, —  that  of  higher  first 
cost, —  the  well  is  placed  far  enough  back  in  the  bank  to  be 
protected  against  cold.  To  obtain  this  protection  the  well 
should  be  built  so  that  the  water  surface  during  the  winter 
season  is  at  least  two  feet  below  the  depth  of  maximum  frost. 
Guarding  against  the  possibility  of  freezing  allows  more 
freedom  in  the  choice  of  observers. 

Where  such  construction  does  not  seem  advisable  an  oil 
cover  may  be  applied,  using  a  depth  of  oil  equal  to  the  maxi- 
mum thickness  of  ice,  plus  2  feet.  A  device  for  reducing  the 
quantity  of  oil  required  is  shown  in  Fig.  66.  In  some  cases 
the  device  of  building  a  jacket  around  an  exposed  well  has 
been  resorted  to.  Between  the  well  and  the  jacket  a  space  of 
2  feet  is  left,  which  is  filled  with  manure,  leaves,  or  some 
similar  material.  The  jacket  is  carried  up  8  feet  above  the 
water  surface. 


134  W.  &  L.  E.  GURLEY,  TROY,  NEW  YORK 


FIG.  66. —  Device  for  reducing  quantity  of  oil  used 
as  a  cover  in  wells. 

If  near  a  suitable  electric  circuit,  an  electric  heater  can  be 
used  in  the  end  of  a  YA-  inch  galvanized  pipe,  the  heated  end 
resting  on  the  bottom  of  the  well  and  the  pipe  being  long 
enough  to  extend  through  the  floor  of  the  register  house.  The 
heater  should  be  used  only  in  extremely  cold  weather.  A 
rheostat  that  could  be  attached  to  the  under  side  of  a  float  and 
which  would  turn  on  the  current  when  the  water  was  34  degrees 
Fahrenheit  would  be  desirable  for  economy.  If  the  water  in 
the  well  is  over-heated,  everything  in  the  register  house  will  be 
covered  with  a  heavy  coating  of  frost  and  thus  interfere  with 
the  working  of  the  register. 

The  type  of  house  to  be  used  at  any  station  is  selected  after 
consideration  has  been  given  to  the  three  elements, —  utility, 
safety,  and  appearance.  If  a  station  is  to  be  operated  all  year 
round  the  house  must  be  large  enough  to  allow  the  observer  to 
go  inside  during  inclement  weather  and  to  pass  conveniently 
around  the  register  table  while  inspecting  or  adjusting  the 
register.  Plenty  of  light  in  the  shelter  is  very  desirable  when 
setting  the  gage  height,  changing  the  record,  or  otherwise 
adjusting  the  register.  For  a  permanent  field  installation  a 
concrete  well  and  shelter,  which  will  also  afford  fire  protection, 
(Figs.  67  and  68),  are  recommended  as  a  matter  of  economy. 


WATER    STAGE    REGISTERS 


135 


136  W.  &  L.  E.  GURLEY,  TROY,  NEW  YORK 

Portable  wooden*  or  sheet  metal  houses**,  5  by  6  feet  in  plan, 
have  been  used  with  success  in  appropriate  locations.  The  cost 
of  such  shelters  is  small,  and  they  may  be  obtained  quickly  from 
stock  from  their  manufacturers.  In  arid  regions,  if  the  station 
is  to  be  operated  only  during  warm  weather  and  where  rain  is 
not  likely  to  interfere  with  the  inspection  and  adjustment  of  the 
register,  simpler  types  of  shelters  may  be  used. 

When  registers  are  to  be  installed  at  dams,  provision  should 
be  made  in  the  design  of  the  dam  for  a  well  of  ample  size  and 
a  shelter  to  form  part  of  the  structure.  The  same  provision 
should  be  made  when  designing  bridge  piers  or  bulkheads  to 
be  built  in  streams  at  points  where  records  may  be  desired. 

Each  shelter  should  be  provided  with  a  suitable  register 
table,  and  a  saving  of  time  will  result  from  keeping  permanently 
in  each  shelter  certain  tools  and  equipment.  For  the  small 
adjusting  levers,  screw  drivers,  oil  cans,  etc.,  required  in 
operating  the  automatic  register,  a  small  box  may  be  fastened 
to  the  wall  of  the  shelter.  A  couple  of  thin  battens  conveniently 
placed  will  serve  as  a  paper  rack,  behind  which  may  be  placed 
stationery  or  wrapping  paper  that  may  be  required  at  the 
station.  A  broom  will  frequently  be  found  useful,  and  a  tin 
pail,  a  shovel,  an  ice  chisel,  a  stay  line  and  lead  meter  weights 
should  be  kept  at  the  shelter  when  current  meter  measurements 
are  made  nearby. 


CARE  AND  COMPUTATION  OF  RECORDS 

Records  from  Gurley  Printing  Water  Stage  Registers  should 
be  wound  on  a  tin  spool  furnished  for  that  purpose,  as  soon  as 
they  are  received  at  the  office.  A  No.  632  Tape  Reel  (See 
Fig.  44,  page  91)  will  be  of  material  assistance  in  this  process, 
especially  in  dividing  the  record  for  computation,  into  days, 
by  means  of  pencil  lines  drawn  across  the  paper  strip.  One 
months  record  may  be  rolled  on  one  spool,  and  the  spools  may 
be  filed  in  a  filing  cabinet  or  drawer.  All  information  pertain- 
ing to  the  gage  height  should  be  made  on  separate  sheets,  which 
are  then  properly  filed  away  for  reference.  The  printed  strip 

*Miller  Manufacturing  Co.,  8000  Alabama  Ave.,  St.  Louis,  Mo. 
**Metal  Shelter  Co.,  Whitehall  Bldg.,  New  York  City. 


WATER    STAGE    REGISTERS 


137 


FIG.  UU.— Galvanized  sheet  metal  Shelter  and  Well  installed  by  U.  S.  En- 
gineer Department  at  Pier  A,  the  Battery,  New  York  City.  Equipped  with 
a  No.  630  Gurley  Printing  Register— one  of  19  similar  instruments  installed 
along  the  Hudson  River  for  a  distance  of  150  miles  between  New  York  City 
and  Troy. 


FIG.  70. —  Metal  Shelter  with  door  open,  showing  the  Gurley  Printing 

Register — with  its  cover  removed — standing  on  a  wooden  table; 

also  the  weights  suspended  in  the  well. 


138  W.  &  L.  E.  GURLEY,  TROY,  NEW  YORK 


FIG.  71. —  Wooden  Well    and  Shelter  housing    a  No.  636    Gurley  Graphic 

Register  installed  by  the  U.   S.   Geological   Survey  on  the  Genesee 

River  at  Jones  Bridge  near  Mt.   Morris,   N.   Y.       The  river 

is  shown  under  flood  conditions  during  March,  1916, 

when  the  Register  obtained  a  complete 

record  of  the  flood. 


FIG.  72. —  Water  Stage  Register  installation  by  U.  S.  Geological  Survey  on 

the  Santa  Maria  Creek  in  California,  showing  an  inexpensive 

wooden  shelter,  a  vertical  staff  gage,  and  an 

artificial  control. 


WATER    STAGE    REGISTERS 


139 


FIG.  73. —  Wooden  Well  and  Shelter  installed  by  the  U.  S.  Geological  Survey 

at  a  bridge  abutment  on  the  Susquehanna  River  near  Conklin,  N.  Y. 

Note  elevation  of  shelter  to  provide  for  flood  stage. 


FIG.  74. —  Wooden  Well  and  Shelter  installed  by  the  U.  S.  Geological  Survey 

on  the  Brazos  River  at  Waco,  Texas.     Equipped  with  a  Gurley 

Graphic  Register.     Note  method  of  installation  against  bridge 

pier,  instead  of  at  usual  place  on  stream  bank. 


140  W.  &  L.  E.  GURLEY,  TROY,  NEW  YORK 

DEPARTMENT  OF  THE  INTERIOR    •  FILE  No. 

UNITED  STATES  GEOLOGICAL  SURVEY 

WATER  RESOURCES  BRANCH  Washington 

Date 192—  Field 

INSPECTION  OF  AUTOMATIC  GAGE 

River,    at 

Was  gage  working  properly  when  you  reached  it  ? 

What  is  correct  time  by  your  watch? 

What  is  the  clock  time? 

What  is  the  time  by  the  pen  or  pencil  ? 

What  is  the  outside  or  river  gage  reading? 

What  is  the  inside  or  well  gage  reading  ? 

What  is  the  automatic  gage  reading? ~~ ~~~ 

Have  you  marked  pen  or  pencil  time  on  the  chart  by  raising  the  float  ?  „ 
Did  you  remove  old  sheet  and  put  on  new  one  ? At  what  time 

did  you  do  this? 

If  you  did  not  remove  sheet,  did  you  correct  setting  of  pen  or  pencil  and 

clock  ? 

Did  you  wind  clock? Regulate  it? 

Did  you  sharpen  pencil  or  fill  pen  ? 

Did  you  mark  pen  or  pencil  time  on  new  sheet  by  raising  float  ? 

Have  you  filled  blanks  on  old  sheet  according  to  instructions  ? 

Have  you  made  sure  that  pen  or  pencil  is  down,  sheet  placed  correctly,  set 

screw  on  drum  fastened,  and  gage  working  correctly  before  leaving 

station  ? 

Have  you  filled  all  blanks  on  this  sheet  according  to  instructions  ? 

Remarks  and  questions  : 


Signed  by 

Observer. 


FIG.  75. —  U.  S.  Geological  Survey  Form  for  inspection  of 
Recording  Register  Stations. 


WATER    STAGE    REGISTERS  141 

should  be  dated  and  otherwise  marked  for  identification,  and 
the  computations  should  be  made  at  once.  The  computer  sits 
down  at  the  adding  machine  with  the  record  on  the  tape  reel 
and  with  a  rating  table  having  the  gage  heights  carried  out  to 
hundredths;  then  looks  up  the  gage  height  for  each  hour  and 
takes  out  the  corresponding  discharge  on  the  machine.  At  the 
end  of  the  day  the  twenty-four  discharges  are  totaled.  All 
these  additions  are  made  on  letter  size  paper,  one  sheet  holding 
the  computations  for  about  twelve  days,  each  column  of  figures 
being  headed  with  the  date.  A  sheet  of  carbon  paper  is  reversed 
behind  the  paper  so  that  it  can  be  reproduced  by  blue  printing 
when  necessary.  By  this  method,  one  month's  record  can  be 
totaled  in  about  two  hours. 

The  pencil  records  from  graphic  type  registers  should  be 
inked  in  with  black  drawing  ink,  using  a  fine  pen.  The  inking 
may  be  done  on  the  back  of  the  sheet,  thus  preserving  the  pencil 
record  in  its  original  form,  by  placing  the  record  on  the  glass 
cover  of  a  shallow  frame  which  has  an  electric  lamp  underneath. 

Notes  or  other  information  pertaining  to  the  gage  height 
should  be  entered  on  the  original  sheet,  as  should  also  the  name 
of  the  station,  the  date  of  the  end  of  the  record,  and  the  gage 
height  scale.  In  some  cases  it  may  be  advantageous  to  use  a 
rubber  stamp  for  this  data. 

For  use  with  the  graphic  type  registers  a  discharge  scale 
for  each  station  may  be  pasted  on  a  celluloid  triangle.  A  steel 
straight  edge  may  then  be  clamped  on  a  drawing  board  over 
the  record  in  such  a  position  that  the  triangle  sliding  along  it 
will  always  be  in  the  proper  position.*  The  hourly  discharges 
are  then  read  off  by  the  use  of  the  scale  and  are  entered  on  an 
appropriate  ruled  form. 


*See  Engineering  News  for  August,  1914,  page  458;  also  for  June  25, 
1914,  page  1430. 


142  W.  &  L.  E.  GURLEY,  TROY,  NEW  YORK 

OTHER  APPLICATIONS  OF  GURLEY  CURRENT  METERS 
AND  WATER  STAGE  REGISTERS 

The  successful  use  of  Gurley  Current  Meters  and  Water 
Stage  Registers  in  connection  with  problems  of  river  discharge 
has  led  to  their  application  to  similar  problems  in  related  fields. 
Some  details  of  a  number  of  these  uses  are  given  below. 


FIG.  76. —  One  of  six  No.  634  Gurley  Graphic  Registers  installed  in 
specially  designed  manholes  in  the  joint  outlet  sewer  constructed  by  the 
New  Jersey  cities  and  towns  of  Newark,  Summit,  South  Orange,  West 
Orange,  Irvington,  Milburn  and  Vailsburgh.  South  Orange  Township 
later  acquired  rights  to  discharge  500,000  gallons  of  sewage  daily  into 
the  sewers  of  Milburn.  It  being  impracticable  to  locate  weirs  in  the 
sewers,  owing  to  the  large  volume  of  solids,  six  Gurley  Registers  were 
installed  to  keep  accurate  record  of  the  flow.  A  man  visits  the  instru- 
ments once  a  week  to  wind  the  clocks  and  change  the  charts.  The 
record  is  kept  in  natural  scale  and  the  total  flow  is  quickly  computed. 


MEASUREMENT  OF  SEWAGE 


The  growth  of  population  of  cities  and  the  increased  atten- 
tion that  has  been  given  to  municipal  sanitation  has  emphasized 
the  importance  of  the  design  and  construction  of  sanitary  sewers 
and  of  works  for  the  disposal  of  sewage. 


WATER    STAGE   REGISTERS  143 

As  usually  designed  the  sewers  are  for  practical  reasons  of 
ample  cross-section  to  afford  a  wide  margin  of  capacity.  With 
raw  sewage  being  discharged  into  natural  waterways  little  atten- 
tion has  been  paid  heretofore  to  the  quantity  discharged,  and 
few  cities  have  any  record  of  the  actual  discharge  of  their 
sewers.  In  many  cases  the  low  dilution  of  the  sewage  by  the 
natural  flow  of  the  stream  into  which  it  has  been  discharged, 
especially  at  times  of  low  flow,  has  been  the  cause  of  many 
nuisances.  Several  states  have  passed  laws  governing  the 
discharge  of  sewage  into  intra-state  waters  and  investigations 
upon  which  to  base  a  Federal  law,  covering  interstate  streams, 
are  now  under  way.  All  such  investigations  require  a 
knowledge  of  stream  flow.  In  fact,  the  question  of  whether 
the  sewage  from  a  proposed  or  existing  sewer  system  may  be 
discharged  into  a  given  stream  may  be  almost  entirely  decided 
upon  the  basis  of  the  quantity  of  sewage  and  the  minimum  flow 
of  the  stream,  both  of  which  quantities  it  is  possible  to  deter- 
mine completely  by  the  use  of  Gurley  current  meters  and 
automatic  water  stage  registers. 

The  flow  of  all  streams  into  which  sewage  is  discharged 
should  be  a  matter  of  record  in  every  city  that  disposes  of  its 
sewage  in  this  way.  Such  information  may  be  obtained  readily 
by  means  of  the  current  meter  method  of  stream  gaging, 
explained  on  pages  48  to  62. 

It  is  also  possible  to  apply  current  meter  methods  to  the 
measurement  of  the  flow  in  the  sewers  themselves.  In  applying 
these  methods,  it  will  be  possible  to  find  or  to  construct  in  the 
sewer  barrel  a  permanent  control  section  to  be  rated.  Because 
of  the  relatively  large  diurnal  fluctuations  of  depth  over  the 
control  to  be  expected  from  the  character  of  sewage  discharge, 
it  is  necessary  to  use  automatic  registers.  For  this  purpose, 
Gurley  Graphic  Register  No.  634,  with  a  normal  range  of  one 
foot,  described  on  pages  111  to  116,  is  most  suitable.  The  float 
chamber  should  be  designed  as  a  part  of  the  sewer  itself  and 
built  at  the  same  time  the  sewer  is.  In  case  of  existing  sewers 
on  which  it  is  desired  to  keep  records  of  flow,  a  well  for  the  float 
may  be  built  alongside  the  sewer  at  the  proper  point  in  its 
length.  Gagings  of  this  character  have  been  carried  on  sue- 


144  W.  &  L.  E.  GURLEY,  TROY,  NEW  Y.ORK 

cessfully  in  the  city  of  Atlanta,  Ga.*  and  the  sewer  departments 
of  many  other  cities  are  interested  in  this  method  of  obtaining 
an  accurate  record  at  a  reasonable  cost  of  the  amount  of  sewage 
handled.  See  Fig.  76. 

Weirs  have  been  installed  at  appropriate  places  in  some 
systems,  with  an  automatic  water  stage  register  to  keep  a  record 
of  the  depth  of  sewage  on  the  crest  of  the  weir.  The  objection 
is  sometimes  raised  that  the  introduction  of  a  weir  in  the  line 
of  flow  may  cause  an  accumulation  of  sludge  deposits  back  of 
the  weir.  This  may  be  provided  for  by  making  an  ample 
outlet  to  the  weir  chamber  through  a  quick  opening  valve  by 
which  the  contents  of  that  chamber  may  be  rapidly  and  easily 
discharged. 

In  the  design  of  sewage  disposal  plants  the  quantity  of. 
sewage  to  be  handled  by  the  plant  is  one  of  the  controlling 
factors.  This  factor  may  be  determined  by  the  methods  indi- 
cated, but  it  should  be  noted  that  the  information  required  is 
not  such  as  may  be  obtained  overnight,  but  that  its  collection 
will  likely  extend  over  a  considerable  time.  Therefore,  cities 
contemplating  installations  of  this  kind  should  be  forehanded 
in  the  matter  of  obtaining  data. 

SOUNDINGS  AND  TIDE  GAGES 

When  conducting  soundings  for  hydrographic  surveys  from 
which  to  make  charts  of  tidal  waters,  it  is  necessary  to  keep  a 
record  of  the  stage  of  the  tide  so  that  the  soundings,  which  are 
taken  to  the  surface  of  the  water,  may  be  referred  to  a  perma- 
nent datum.  Recording  water  stage  registers  have  been  used 
successfully  on  such  work.  Thev  also  find  a  similar  use  in 
keeping  a  record  of  stage  on  tidal  rivers. 

NAVIGATION  CANALS 

It  is  frequently  desirable  to  keep  a  record  of  the  flow  of 
navigation  canals.  Because  of  the  quantity  of  water  used  at 
the  locks,  the  slope  of  the  water  surface  varies  from  time  to 
time,  so  that  a  record  from  a  single  recording  register  is  not 
successful.  In  such  cases  the  method  that  should  be  used  is 
that  explained  in  detail  by  Messrs.  Hall,  Pierce,  and  Hall,  in 

*By  Mr.  Warren  E.  Hall,  M.  Am.  Soc.  C.  K,  District  Engineer,  U.  S. 
Geological  Survey. 


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146  W.  &  L.  E.  GURLEY,  TROY,  NEW  YORK 

Water  Supply  Paper  345  E,  U.  S.  Geological  Survey.  In  this 
method  the  estimates  of  daily  discharge  are  based  on  both  the 
gage  height  and  the  surface  slope  between  two  stations  a  suffi- 
cient distance  apart,  the  hydraulic  radius  at  sections  between 
them  being  constant.  The  registers  should  be  located  far 
enough  apart  to  show  any  appreciable  change  in  slope,  and  it  is 
absolutely  necessary  that  they  be  set  to  the  same  datum.  Auto- 
matic recording  water  stage  registers  should  be  used.  See  Figs. 
77,  78  and  79,  page  145. 

IRRIGATION  CANALS 

In  all  open  channels  in  which  a  control  section  may  be 
established  at  which  the  relation  of  gage  height  and  discharge 
is  constant,  the  current  meter  may  be  used  with  success,  the 
gage  heights  being  recorded  by  automatic  registers.  Such 
methods  are  applicable  to  main  irrigation  canals  and  main 
laterals  of  irrigation  systems.  The  introduction  of  checks  into 
the  subsidiary  distributing  channels  in  the  course  of  their 
ordinary  operation  causes  backwater  along  their  entire  length, 
the  slope  being  very  small,  and  this  makes  it  impossible  to  use 
current  meter  stations  which  depend  on  continuous  control  for 
their  successful  operation. 

HYDRAULIC  POWER  STATIONS 

The  problem  of  making  efficient  use  of  the  water  available 
for  use  in  water  wheels  is  constantly  before  operators  of 
hydraulic  power  stations.  The  results  of  many  tests  show  that 
operators  heretofore  have  often  failed  to  check  up  with  sufficient 
care  the  hydraulic  efficiency  of  their  wheels  to  be  sure  that  they 
are  getting  all  of  the  energy  possible  out  of  their  installation. 
Frequently,  obstructions  of  various  kinds  have  reduced  the  flow 
into  the  water  wheels  to  such  an  extent  that  they  are  operating 
at  an  efficiency  far  below  the  manufacturers  rating. 

It  is  now  customary  at  well  operated  power  stations  to  keep 
careful  records  by  means  of  which  a  loss  of  efficiency  in  the 
operation  of  the  plant  is  quickly  detected  and  localized. 
Operating  efficiency  requires  that  records  be  kept  of  the  height 
of  water  in  the  forebay,  the  height  in  the  tailrace,  and  the  height 
of  water  flowing  over  the  spillway  of  the  dam.  It  is  possible 
to  keep  such  records  continuously  by  means  of  Gurley  automatic 
water  stage  registers. 


FIG.  80. —  Typical  Installations  of  Gurley  Printing  and  Graphic  Water  Stage 
Registers  by  the  Stone  &  Webster  Engineering  Corporation,  for  the  Miss- 
issippi River  Power  Company,  which  used  seventeen  Gurley  Registers  to 
obtain  accurate  records  for  the  efficient  operation  of  its  power  plant  at 
the  Keokuk  Dam.  Views  A  and  B  show  two  of  the  four  Printing  Registers 
used  to  obtain  elevations  in  the  forebay  and  tailrace  of  the  power  house. 
Views  C,  D  and  E  shows  installations  along  the  Mississippi  River  at  con- 
siderable distances  above  and  below  the  dam  at  Keokuk. 


148  W.  &  L.  E.  GURLEY,  TROY,  NEW  YORK 


FLUMES 

Automatic  water  stage  registers  may  be  used  to  advantage 
on  flumes  that  have  been  rated  in  a  proper  manner.  In  such 
cases  the  record  of  stage  is  made  by  the  water  stage  register, 
and  this  record  is  applied  to  a  table  of  discharge. 

WEIRS 

A  similar  application  of  automatic  registers  is  desirable 
at  weirs  for  measuring  flow  in  cases  where  the  head  on  the 
weir  varies. 


FIG.  81. —  Installation  of  Gurley  Printing  Register  by  the  U.  S.  Geological 

Survey  on  Alplaus  Creek  near  Charlton,  N.  Y.,  to  record 

the  flow  over  a  V-notch  weir. 

If  refined  measurements  are  required  the  coefficients  used 
in  the  weir  formula  by  which  the  discharge  is  computed  should 
be  obtained  from  an  actual  rating  of  the  weir  used.  Weir 
coefficients  that  are  obtained  in  the  laboratory  do  not  apply 


WATER    STAGE    REGISTERS  149 

accurately  to  weirs  used  in  the  field,  unless  they  are  of  the 
same  design  and  are  set  up  in  the  field  and  used  under  the 
same  conditions  that  existed  when  they  were  rated. 

The  following  precautions  should  be  observed  when  using 
weirs  in  the  field : 

No  water  should  be  allowed  to  leak  past  the  ends  of  the 
weir  nor  under  it.  In  the  case  of  permanent  weirs  special 
precautions  are  taken  during  construction  to  guard  against  such 
defects.  In  the  case  of  temporary  weirs  particular  attention 
must  be  paid  to  this  detail.  Gunny  sacks  are  frequently  used 
with  temporary  wTeirs  to  prevent  leaks.  Sand  bags  and  puddles 
have  also  been  used. 

The  water  should  fall  freely  over  the  crest  of  the  weir  and 
the  distance  from  the  crest  to  the  bottom  of  the  channel  in  which 
it  is  inserted  should  be  greater  than  three  times  the  head  of 
water  on  the  crest  in  order  not  to  suppress  the  contraction.  For 
the  same  reason,  on  a  weir  with  end  contractions  the  distance 
between  the  edges  of  the  weir  and  the  sides  of  the  channel 
should  be  three  times  the  depth  of  the  crest.  The  depth  of 
water  on  the  crest  of  a  weir  is  usually  much  less  than  the 
breadth  of  the  crest.  The  depth  should  be  not  less  than  0.1 
foot  nor  more  than  4.5  feet,  in  order  to  keep  within  the  range  of 
tests  on  the  standard  weir.  The  breadth  of  the  crest  ordinarily 
ranges  between  0.5  foot  and  20  feet.  The  maximum  discharge 
that  can  be  gaged  conveniently  on  a  weir  20  feet  long  is  about 
200  second  feet. 

If  the  water  approaches  the  crest  of  the  weir  with  a  velocity 
exceeding  0.5  foot  per  second,  a  discharge  formula  involving 
velocity  of  approach  should  be  used. 

The  automatic  water  stage  register  should  be  placed  far 
enough  upstream  from  the  crest  of  the  weir  to  be  beyond  the 
curve  taken  by  the  water  as  it  approaches  the  weir. 

A  full  discussion  of  the  theory  of  weir  measurements  will 
be  found  in  text  books  on  Hydraulics,  many  of  which  include 
tables  that  facilitate  computations  of  discharge.  In  Water 
Supply  Paper  No.  200,  U.  S.  Geological  Survey,  will  be  found 
a  valuable  discussion  by  Mr.  R.  E.  Horton,  M.  Am.  Soc.  C.  E., 
of  many  weir  experiments. 


150  W.  &  L.  E.  GURLEY,  TROY,  NEW  YORK 

SUGGESTIONS  FOR  THE  SELECTION  OF  AUTOMATIC 
WATER  STAGE  REGISTERS 

There  are  two  classes  of  automatic  water  stage  registers. 
One  class  makes  a  continuous  printed  record  of  stage  and  time; 
the  other  class  makes  a  graphic  record  of  stage  and  time. 

In  selecting  an  automatic  water  stage  register  careful  atten- 
tion should  be  given  to  the  conditions  under  which  it  is  required 
to  work,  and  to  the  type  of  record  required. 

PRINTING  REGISTERS 

The  printing  register  is  especially  well  adapted 

(1)  To  situations  that  require  a  record  in  type. 

(2)  To  inaccessible  locations. 

(3)  As  a  convenience  in  operation  at  other  stations. 

(4)  Where  only  non-technical  assistance  is  available 

to  compute  the  records. 

Printed  records  of  stage  and  time  have  a  single  definite 
meaning  and  hence  are  not  affected  by  personal  equation  when 
used  by  different  individuals.  For  this  reason  printed  records 
are  particularly  well  adapted  to  those  situations  in  which  a 
legal  interpretation  of  the  record  is  to  be  made.  They  are  also 
well  adapted  to  the  use  of  water  commissioners,  operators,  and 
owners  without  technical  training  in  the  use  of  graphic  records. 

When  the  record  is  to  be  made  at  a  location  which  is  not 
easily  accessible  and  hence  at  which  it  is  necessary  to  have  a 
reliable  and  readily  interpreted  long  time  record,  unaffected 
by  weather  conditions,  the  printing  register  meets  fully  all  of 
the  requirements.  Gurley  Printing  Registers  have  operated 
continuously  in  many  situations  of  this  kind  for  six  months 
without  attention. 

At  many  locations  the  record  sheets  must  be  changed  by 
assistants  who  are  not  able  to  follow  a  regular  schedule.  At 
such  places  continuity  of  the  record  of  the  printing  register  is 
unaffected  by  such  irregularity. 

Printing  records  are  easily  compiled.  It  is  often  convenient 
to  have  such  work  done  by  power  house  operators  or  others 
not  familiar  with  graphic  processes.  Printed  records  lend 
themselves  readily  to  such  uses. 


WATER    STAGE    REGISTERS  151 

Printing  registers  record  the  stage  to  single  hundredths  of 
a  foot.  The  frequency  of  the  record  may  be  varied  within 
certain  limits  to  suit  the  requirements  of  particular  cases.  As 
ordinarily  constructed,  Gurley  Printing  Registers  print  the 
record  at  intervals  of  fifteen  minutes,  but  it  is  possible  to 
arrange  registers  to  print  every  half  hour,  or  every  hour. 

GRAPHIC   REGISTERS 

Gurley  Graphic  Registers  give  an  accurate  hydrograph,  or 
curve,  showing  the  relations  between  stage  and  time. 

One  type  (No.  633  —  see  Fig.  48,  page  105)  makes  a 
reduced  size  record  of  stage,  while  the  other  (No.  634  —  see 
Fig.  52,  page  112)  makes  a  full  size  natural  scale  record.  The 
scale  of  stage  should  be  selected  so  as  to  allow  the  gage  height 
to  be  read  to  the  required  degree  of  fineness.  This  is  decided 
in  accordance  with  the  precision  required  in  each  particular 
case  after  considering  the  percentage  effect  on  discharge  of 
different  variations  of  gage  height.  The  range  of  stage  is 
usually  selected  so  that  ordinary  fluctuations  of  stage  are 
recorded  entirely  within  the  range  of  a  single  turn  of  the 
cylinder.  This,  however,  is  merely  a  matter  of  convenience, 
because  the  cylinder  will  continue  to  revolve  and  extraordinary 
fluctuations  of  stage  will  be  properly  recorded,  the  range  of 
stage  being  unlimited. 

The  Graphic  Register  is  especially  adapted 

(1)  To  general  stream  gaging  work. 

(2)  To  permanent  installation  at  power  plants. 

(3)  To  use  in  sewage  disposal  plants. 

(4)  To  use  in  sanitary  sewers. 

(5)  To  use  in  reservoirs. 

(6)  As  a  portable  gage  in  making  special  studies. 

The  utility  of  all  stream  flow  records  is  based  on  an 
accurate,  dependable  record  of  gage  heights  or  water  stage. 
Such  records  are  clearly  made  on  properly  ruled  coordinate 
paper  by  Gurley  Graphic  Water  Stage  Registers.  They  are 
easily  installed  and  are  exact  and  constant  in  their  operation, 
having  been  developed  to  meet  actual  field  conditions,  and 
require  a  minimum  amount  of  attention.  The  record  is  a 
continuous  curve  covering  seven  days  time.  The  record  sheet 


152  W.  &  L.  E.  GURLEY,  TROY,  NEW  YORK 

must  be  changed  at  least  every  seven  days,  but  is  of  sufficient 
length  to  allow  some  variation  in  the  exact  time  of  making  the 
change. 

The  graphic  record  shows  at  a  glance  the  stage  and  time 
relations,  and  is  easily  interpreted.  It  is  adapted  to  any 
graphic  method  of  calculation.  The  range  of  stage,  which  is 
unlimited,  is  adjusted  to  particular  needs  by  the  use  of  proper 
gear  combinations  to  give  an  appropriate  scale  ratio  for  stage. 
The  time  scale  is  ordinarily  one  inch  per  hour,  but  time  screws 
can  be  furnished  to  give  a  one  day,  or  four  day,  time  scale. 

Accurate  information  in  regard  to  the  water  stage  in  both 
forebay  and  tailrace  at  all  water  power  stations  is  necessary. 
At  such  stations  Gurley  Graphic  Registers  afford  a  method  of 
obtaining  and  recording  the  required  information  in  convenient 
form.  Provision  should  be  made  in  designing  the  power  plant 
and  its  accessories  for  the  proper  installation  (See  page  140) 
of  water  stage  registers. 

Such  records  frequently  prevent  disputes  and  often  assume 
great  importance  in  legal  actions  concerning  the  use  of  the 
water. 

The  successful  operation  of  sewage  disposal  works  requires 
an  accurate  knowledge  of  the  quantity  of  sewage  to  be  treated. 
Such  knowledge  may  readily  be  obtained  by  the  use  of  Gurley 
Graphic  Registers  properly  installed.  The  quantity  of  effluent 
discharged  and  its  degree  of  dilution  may  also  be  determined 
by  such  use.  See  page  142. 

The  quantity  of  sewage  flowing  in  trunk  sewers  or  in  inter- 
cepting sewers  may  be  readily  determined  by  the  use  of  Gurley 
Water  Stage  Registers.  This  information  is  essential  to  and 
should  precede  the  design  of  sewage  disposal  works. 

A  record  of  the  height  of  water  in  reservoirs,  and  its 
fluctuation,  is  easily  obtainable  by  the  use  of  such  registers. 
This  is  desirable  in  all  reservoirs  of  any  domestic  water  supply 
system.  Such  records  aid  in  the  successful  operation  of  the 
systems.  The  head  and  its  fluctuations  are  very  important 
elements  of  efficient  operation  where  water  is  pumped  into 
distributing  reservoirs.  In  such  situations  records  are 
essential. 


WATER    STAGE    REGISTERS 


153 


Many  industrial  operations  require  the  storage  in  tanks  or 
reservoirs  of  liquid  materials,  the  quantity  of  which  it  is  desir- 
able to  record.  Gurley  Graphic  Registers  are  well  adapted  to 
such  requirements.  They  present  in  compact  form  a  convenient 
record  of  such  manufacturing  processes. 

The  accurate  determination  of  gage  heights  is  an  important 
part  of  many  special  hydraulic  investigations.  The  graphic 
type  of  record  is  especially  valuable  in  such  work,  because  of 
the  form  in  which  the  record  is  presented.  The  possibility  of 
varying  the  scale  of  the  record,  which  may  be  accomplished 
by  an  alteration  of  the  gear  relations  on  Register  No.  633  (See 
page  102),  makes  it  the  most  flexible  register  on  the  market 
for  such  studies. 

GURLEY  EXPERIMENTAL  GAGING  STATION 


Experimental  gaging  station  on  the  Poestenkill,  Troy,  N.  Y.,  used  by 
W.  &  L.  E.  Gurley  in  connection  with  the  development  of  water  stage 
registers  and  other  types  of  hydraulic  equipment.  The  wooden  shelter 
covers  a  concrete  well  and  provides  ample  light  and  air  by  means  of  three 
windows,  a  door  and  two  ventilators.  The  Gurley  Long  Distance  Water 
Stage  Sender  is  shown  installed  in  this  structure ;  this  Sender  is  connected 
by  a  telephone  line  to  the  Long  Distance  Water  Stage  Register  at  the 
Gurley  factory,  about  two  miles  distant. 

Engineers  visiting  Troy  will  be  taken  to  inspect  this  gaging  station, 
upon  request. 


154  W.  &  L.  E.  GUR'LEY,  TROY,  NEW  YORK 

Leveling  Instrument  and  Rod 

GURLEY  EXPLORERS  LEVEL 
The  smallest  and  lightest  Gurley  Level 


FIG.  83. —  No.  384  Explorers  Level,  6.5  in.  telescope. 

A  small,  compact  and  light  weight  model  designed  to  meet 
the  requirements  of  engineers  for  a  serviceable  and  an  accurate 
instrument  for  running  preliminary  levels  in  exploration  work 
where  it  is  impossible,  inconvenient  or  unnecessary  to  operate 
a  large  one.  It  is  particularly  adapted  for  hydraulic  engi- 
neers in  exploring  streams  to  determine  the  possibilities  of 
water  supply  and  in  the  investigation  of  irrigation  and  drainage 
projects. 

This  instrument  is  designed  and  constructed  with  great  care; 
it  may  be  depended  upon  to  do  accurate  leveling.  The  centers 
are  composed  of  a  long  bronze  spindle  and  socket  of  different 
degrees  of  hardness.  The  arms  of  the  leveling  head  are  ribbed 
and  the  tops  of  the  leveling  screws  are  protected  from  dust. 

The  telescope  is  6.5  in.  long,  with  a  magnification  of  16 
diameters  and  a  0.7  in.  aperture.  The  eyepiece  is  erecting,  it 
is  focused  on  the  platinum  cross  and  stadia  wires  by  means  of 
a  spiral  movement;  the  objective  is  focused  by  a  pinion  move- 
ment. Rigidity  and  accuracy  in  this  small  instrument  is  made 


WATER    STAGE    REGISTERS 


155 


i- 


certain  by  permanently  attaching  the  telescope  to  the  spindle 
(Dumpy  design).  A  3  in.  level,  graduated  on  the  vial,  may  be 
adjusted  vertically. 

Convenience  in  traveling  is  insured  by  the 
small,  light  leather  covered  mahogany  case, 
with  shoulder  strap,  outside  dimensions  7.75  x  6 
x  4  in.  The  No.  442  jointed  extension  tripod 
for  this  level  weighs  about  6.5  Ibs.  The  level 
weighs  only  about  2.75  Ibs.  and  with  its  box 
weighs  about  5  Ibs.  Both  level  and  tripod  may  be 
packed  together  in  an  ordinary  24  in.  suit  case. 

A  special  Aluminum  Compass  with  a  2.5  in. 
needle  and  a  circle  graduated  to  degrees,  can  be 
attached  to  No.  384  Explorers  Level,  if  desired. 


GURLEY  4-PLY  LEVELING  ROD 

The  No.  524-A  four-ply  self-reading  rod  is 
extremely  light  and  portable.  It  is  3.3  feet  long 
when  closed  and  extends  to  11.2  feet.  The  smallest 
graduation  is  0.01  foot. 

This  rod  is  very  serviceable,  as  it  may  be 
carried  with  a  minimum  of  inconvenience,  particu- 
larly when  traveling. 


FIG.    84 
No.  524-A 


INDEX 


Page 

Accuracy  of  current  meter  62 

Acoustic  current  meter  21,  22 

Advantages  of  Gurley  current  meters  28 
American  Society  of  Civil  Engineers, 

Transactions  of,  reference  to 62 

Applications  of  current  meters  and 

water  stage  registers  142-149 

Artificial  channels,  current  meters 

measurements  in  62 

Automatic  Water  Stage  Registers. 

See  Registers. 

Batteries,  dry,  for  current  meters  . . .  18,  33 
Bench  marks,  establishment  and  use  of  75,  76 
Boats,  current  meter  measurements 

from  39,  40 

Bridges,  current  meter  measurements 

from  47 

Bridges,  installation  of  registers  at.  136,  139 
Bureau  of  Standards  rating  station..  34,  36 


Page 

Current  meter  rating    stations  34-88 

Current   meters,    accuracy    and   realia- 

bility   of  62 

Current   meters,    advantages   of 28 

Current  meters  and    water    stage    reg- 
isters,   applications  of  142-149 

Current  meters,    care  of  31-34 

Current  meter     curcuits,     methods     of 

testing 32-33 

Current  meters,   construction  of 14-20 

Current  meters,   essentials  of  14 

Current  meters,    rating   of  34-38 

Current  meters,   selection  of  21-28 

Current  meters,    use    of  48-62 


Dam  at  Keokuk,  reference  to 147 

Dams,   installation  of  registers  at  ...        136 
Data,  recording  of  current     meter  7 . .     52-57 
Data,  recording  of  water     stage     reg- 
ister      136,  140,  141 


Cables,     current    meter    measurements 

from     44-46 

Cables   for  suspending   current   meters 

19,  20,  27,  44 
Canals,   irrigation,  use  of  water  stage 

registers  on  146 

Canals,  navigation,  use  of  water  stage 

registers     on   144,  146 

Care  of  the  current  meter  31-34 

Catamaran,  use  of,  in  making  current 

meter    measurements  39,  40 

Chain    gages  74 

Channels,      artificial,      current      meter 

measurements    in   62 

Computation  and  care  of  water  stage 

register     records  136,  140,  141 

Conduits,  use  of  current  meter  in 62 

Construction  of  current    meters 14-20 

Construction  of  graphic     water     stage 

registers  . .. ...104,  108,  113-114 

Construction    of   long    distance    regis- 
ter          123 

Construction  of   hook  gage  73 

Contsruction   of    printing    water    stage 

registers   91-97 

Control   of   a  stream  40,  41 

Corps     of     Engineers,     U.     S.     Army, 

reference    to 13 

Covert,   C.  C.,  references  to 24,  65 

Current   meter  field  outfit,    complete..  29,  30 
Current  meter  measurements     in     low 

water  59 

Current  meter  measurements,  types  of    39-47 
Current  meter  measurements  under  ice     58-61 


Electrical  circuit  for  the  long  distance 

outfit  125 

Electric    current    meters  16,  22-26 

Electric  register  for  use  with  current 

meters     25-26 

"Engineering  News,"  references  to  51,  56,  141 
Essential    features    of    current    meter          14 

Essential  parts  of  current  meter 13 

Establishment   of   current  meter  gag- 
ing    stations  70,  71 

Float  gages  74 

Flumes,  use  of  hook  gage  on 73 

Flumes,  use  of  water    stage    registers 

on  148 

Gages,  chain,    74 

Gages,   float 74 

Gage,    hook  73,  74 

Gage,    indicating  130 

Gages,  non-recording    71-75 

Gages,     recording;      or     water     stage 

registers  75,  77-130 

Gages,  staff    71,  72 

Gaging   stations.      See   stations. 
Geological    Survey,    U.    S.,    references 

to 13,  24,  38  ,44,  49,  70, 

71,   76,   78,  97,   131,   135,   138,   139, 

140,  148,   149. 
Graphic  water  stage  registers,   1   foot 

range,    advantages    of  Ill,  113 

Graphic  water  stage  registers,   1   foot 

t-ange,   construction  of   113,  114 


INDEX 


Page 
Graphic  water  stage  registers,  1  foot 

range,    installation    and    operation 

of  114,  116 

Graphic  water  stage  registers,  record 

sheets  for  117,  118 

Graphic  water  stage  registers,  10  foot 

range,  advantages  of  102-104 

Graphic  water  stage  registers,  10  foot 

range,  construction  of  104-108 

Graphic  water  stage  registers,  10  foot 

range,    installation    and    operation 

of 108-110 

Gray,  G.  A.,  reference  to  78 

Grover,  N.  C.,  and  Hoyt,  J.  C.  See 

"River   Discharge." 

Hall,    Pierce    and    Hall,    reference    to        144 

Hall,    W.    E.,    reference    to   144 

Hancock's        "Applied        Mechanics," 

reference     to   50 

Hanna,    F.    W.,    reference   to   51 

Head   line   for   holding   current  meters 

vertical  44 

Hook    gages,    description    and    use    of     71-74 

Horton,    R.    E.,    reference    to   149 

Hoyt,    J.    C.    and    Grover,    N.    C.     See 

"River    Discharge." 

Hoyt,    J.    C.,    reference   to  13 

Hydraulic      power      stations,      use      of 

water  stage  registers  at   .  .   119,   146,  147 

Ice,  measurements  under  58-61 

Indicating  gage  130 

Indicating  or  recording  devices  for 

current  meters  18,  19 

Indicator,  long  distance  124 

Installation  and  operation  of  graphic 

water  stage  registers. .  108-110,  114-116 
Installation  and  operation  of  printing 

water  stage  regist  •  97-101 

Installation  and  shelter  Water  stage 

registers  131-136 

Installation  and  operation  of  the  long 

distance  outfit  127-129 

Instructions  for  care  of  current  meter  31-34 
Irrigation  canals,  use  of  water  stage 

registers     on  146 


Keokuk     Dam     of     Mississippi     River 

Power    Company,    reference    to. . .  147 
Location     of     current     meter     gaging 

stations   63-71 

Long    distance    indicator   124 

Long    distance    register  122-124 

Long    distance    sender 121 

Ly on,    George   J.,    reference    to 70 


Page 
Measurements,  current  meter,   types  of     39-47 

Measurements    from    bridges   47 

Measurements    from    cables  44-46 

Measurements    in      artificial      channels          62 

Measurements,  low    water  59 

Measurements    of    sewage   142-144 

Measurements    under    ice   58-61 

Measurements,  wading   42,  43 

Meters,   current.     See  Current  meters. 
Mississippi      River      Power     Company, 

reference     to  147 


Navigation  canals,  use  of  water  stage 

registers  on  144-146 

New  York  State  Barge  Canal,  refer- 
ence to  145 

Notes,   form  for  recording  register 140 

Notes,  forms  for  current  meter.. 29,  54,  55,  60 


Observations,    velocity,    with    the    cur- 
rent    meter   49-52 

Observers  70 

Oil    device    for    use    in    water    stage 

register  wells  133,  134 

Oiling  of  water  stage  registers  101,   110,  116 
See  Installation. 

Outfit,     complete    current    meter    field  29,  30 


Panama-Pacific  International  Exposi- 
tion, reference  to  4,  8 

Pierce,    C.    H.,    reference    to  78 

Portable  shelters  for  water  stage 

registers  131,  136 

Power  stations,  hydraulic,  use  of  water 

stage  registers  at  119,  146,  147 

Price,   W.   G.,  reference  to  13 

Printing  water  stage  register,  advan- 
tages of  87,  89 

Printing  water  stage  register,  con- 
struction of  91-97 

Printing  water  stage  register,  instal- 
lation and  operation  of 97-101 


Rating     stations     for     current    meters     34-36 

Rating  the  current  meter    34-38 

Reconnoissance       to       locate       gaging 

stations   63-70 

Recording    gages.     See    Registers. 
Recording  of  current  meter  data   ....     52-57 
Recording    or    indicating    devices    for 

current  meters  18,  19 

Record  sheets  for  graphic  water  stage 

registers 117,  118 

Records,    water    stage    register,    care 

and    computation   of 136,    140,  141 


INDEX 


Page 
Reduction    tables    for    current    meters  37,  38 

Reel  for  use  with  current  meter 20 

Reel,     tape,     for     use     with     printing 

registers   "       91 

Registers,      water      stage,      conditions 

requiring    use    of   78-ST 

Registers,       water       stage,       essential 

features    of   81-86 

Registers,     water    stage,     graphic-long 

distance;     use   119 

Sender 121 

Register   122-123 

Construction    of 123-124 

Indicator 124 

Electrical     outfit 125-126 

Installation  and   operation  of   ....127-129 
Registers,     water     stage,     graphic;    1 

foot   range;    advantages   of  111-113 

Registers,     water     stage,     graphic;     1 

foot    range ;    construction   of  ....  113,  114 
Registers,     water    stage,     graphic;     1 
foot  range;   installation  and  oper- 
ation   of  114-116 

Registers,    water    stage,    graphic,     10 

foot    range;    advantages   of 102-104 

Registers,    water    stage,    graphic,     10 

foot  range;   construction  of 104-108 

Registers,  water  stage,  graphic,  10 
foot  range;  installation  and  oper- 
ation of  108-110 

Register,  water  stage,  printing;  ad- 
vantages Of  87,  89 

Register,  water  stage,  printing;  con- 
struction of  91-97 

Register,  water  stage,  printing;  in- 
stallation and  operation  of 97-101 

Registers     water     stage,     suggestions 

-for    selection    of   150-153 

Reliability  of  current  meters  62 

"River      Discharge,"       references      to 

13,    36,    51.    70 

Rods,    wading,    for   current  meters  . . .     22-25 
Russian  Government  Engineers,   refer- 
ence   to   . .  46 


Selecting  proper  type  of  current  meter     21-27 
Selection     of    water     stage    registers. 

suggestions     for  150-153 

Sender,    long   distance  121 

Sewage  disposal   plants,    use   of  regis- 
ters   at   144,  152 

Sewers,  installation   of   registers  in . .  142,  143 

Sewage  measurement     of  142-144 

Sewers,  use   of  current    meter  in 142-144 


Page 

Shelters  for  water  stage  registers  131-140.   145 
Soundings    and     tide    gaging,     use    of 

water  stage  registers  for  144 

Soundings    by    use    of    current    meter  48.  49 

Staff    gages   71.  72 

Stations,    current  meter  gaging,    selec- 
tion and  location  of   03-71 

Stations     for     rating     current     meters     34-36 
Stations,  hydraulic  power,  use  of  water 

stage  registers  at  146,  147 

Stevens,    J.    C.,    reference    to  56 

Stone    and    Webster    Engineering    Cor- 
poration,    reference    to  147 

'Stream    control   40,  41 


Tables,    reduction,    for   current   meters     37-38 
Tide  gaging,  use  of  water  stage  regis- 
ters    for   144 

Type      of      current      meter,      selecting 

proper   21-27 


United  States  Bureau  of  Standards, 

references  to  34,  36 

United  States  Engineer  Department, 

reference  to 137 

United  States  Geological  Survey. 
See  Geological  Survey. 

Use    of    current    meter  48-62 


Velocity  observations  with  the  cur- 
rent meter  49-52 

V-notch  weir,  use  of  water  stage  reg- 
isters at  148,  149 


Wading  measurements  with  the  cur- 
rent meter  42,  43 

Wading  rods  for  use  with  current 

meters  • 22-25 

Water  stage  registers  and  current 

meters,  applications  of  142-149 

Water  stage  registers.     See  Registers. 

Weighted  mean  gage  height,  to  obtain          57 

Weirs,   use   of  hook   gage  at  73,  74 

Weirs,  use  of  water  stage  registers 

at  148,  149 

Wells  for  water  stage  registers   132-134 

Winter  measurements  with  the  cur- 
rent meter  57-61 

Wiring  diagrams  for  long  distance 

register  125,  126 


W.  &  L.  E.  GURLEY 

Established  1845 
TROY,    N.    Y.?    U.    S.    A. 

MANUFACTURERS    OF 

Engineering  and  Surveying  Instruments 

Transits  Stadia  Rods 

Levels  Leal  her  Cases 

Alidades  Leather  Pouches 

Plane  Tables  Hand  Levels 

Sketching  Cases  Plummets 

Compasses  Tripods 

Leveling  Rods  Chains 

Hydraulic  Engineering  Instruments 

Current  Meters 
Water  Stage  Registers 

Printing 

Graphic 

Long  Distance 
Hook  Gages 

Precision  Weights  and  Measures 

Standards  of 

Mass,  Capacity  and 
Length,  for  Sealers  and 
Manufacturers 

DEALERS  IN 

Small  Field  Equipment  and  Accessories 
Drawing  Instruments  and  Office  Supplies 

Illustrated  literature  sent  free  to  any  interested  engineer 
upon  request 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 
•BERKELEY 


Return  to  desk  from  which  borrowed. 
This  book  is  DUE  on  the  last  date  stamped  below. 

ENGINEFRINQ  LIBRARY 


MAY  6     1848 
JAN  2  k  1951 


LD  21-100m-9,'47(A5702sl6)476 


Gurley 
Long  Distance  Water  Stage  Recorder 

FOR  many  years  Civil  and  Hydraulic  Engineers  all  over  the  world  have  been 
using    Gurley    Current    Meters,    Hook    Gages,    Printing    and    Graphic    Water 
Stage     Registers.        These     instruments     have     given     satisfaction     wherever 
precise  water  measurements  have  been  required,   as  for  instance,   in  stream 
gaging,  harbor  development,  water  supply,  sewer  systems,  irrigation  and  drainage 
works   and    hydro-electric    projects. 

This  enviable  service  record  has  been  made  by  Gurley  instruments  while 
often  operating  under  the  most  adverse  climatic  conditions.  Such  a  demonstration 
of  uniform  dependability  has  been  possible  only  through  superiority  of  design 
and  high  grade  workmanship. 

Hydro-electric  power  companies  are  becoming  more  and  more  interested 
in  the  utilization  of  all  the  power  available.  This  is  the  natural  result  of  the 
high  cost  of  fuel  and  the  ever  increasing  demand  for  electric  power.  One  of 
the  pressing  power  questions  of  today  is,  "How  much  water  is  being  wasted 
over  the  dam?" 

Modern  hydraulic  practice  has  demanded  a  precise  and  rugged  instrument 
which  can  be  depended  upon  to  accurately  record  all  the  fluctuations  in  the 
level  of  bodies  of  water  used  for  commercial  purposes.  Instead  of  mailing, 
telephoning  or  telegraphing  readings  thus  made,  it  has  been  found  more  con- 
venient and  economical  to  use  a  register  which  records  or  indicates  in  the 
central  office  the  fluctuations  of  the  level  of  a  distant  body  of  water. 

If  the  company  has  an  accurate  record  of  the  waste  water  from  hour  to 
hour  and  from  month  to  month,  it  is  able  to  estimate  the  amount  of  secondary 
power  which  may  be  profitably  developed  and  sold,  provided  there  is  a  market. 
The  information  may  be  obtained  by  stationing  a  gage  reader  at  the  dam, 
but  this  method  is  either  costly  or  inaccurate,  usually  both.  Gurley  Registers  are 
being  used  more  and  more  for  this  class  of  work.  The  Long  Distance  Graphic 
Recorder  not  only  furnishes  a  record  from  which  future  additions  are  planned, 
but  it  enables  plant  superintendents  to  control  efficiently  the  operation  of 
existing  plants. 

The  Recorders  may  be  used  by  city  water  works  superintendents  to  in- 
dicate at  a  glance  how  high  the  water  is  in  the  city  reservoirs.  Similarly, 
railroad  and  irrigation  engineers  may  determine  the  height  of  the  water  in 
distant  reservoirs  and  thus  use  or  replenish  the  supply  advantageously. 

Type  of  Record 

The  hydrograph  or  curve  recording  the  stage  and  time  is  continuous  over 
seven  days  and  presents  graphically  all  of  the  fluctuations  of  stage  and  their 
time  relations.  These  are  shown  at  a  glance  by  the  curve,  which  is  a  picture 
record  of  conditions.  The  advantages  of  this  type  of  record  are  readily 
recognized. 

The    following   vertical    scales    can    be    furnished: 

0  to  1  foot  0  to  5  feet  0  to  1  5  feet 

0  to  1  1/2  feet  0  to  6  feet  0  to  20  feet 

0  to  2  feet  0  to  8  feet  0  I  ]/2  meters 

0  to  3  feet  0  to  1  0  feet  0  to  3  meters 

0  to  4  feet  0  to  1  2  feet 

A  time  scale  of  1  day,  4  days,  or  7  days  can  be  furnished.  As  the  record 
of  stage  is  made  around  the  cylinder,  there  is  no  limit  to  the  number  of  revo- 
lutions possible,  and  hence  to  the  range  of  stage.  Therefore,  it  is  advisable 
to  use  as  low  a  range  as  possible  and  obtain  a  more  accurate  reading  of  the 
water  stage.  If  occasionally  the  water  stage  is  above  the  nominal  range  of  the 
register,  no  trouble  will  be  experienced  in  recording  the  water  level. 

785294 


W.  &  L.  E.  GURLEY,  TROY,  NEW  YORK 

IB 


The  Simplicity  of  the  Outfit 

The  outfit  consists  of  a  float-operated  Sender  located  on  the  river,  lake, 
canal,  reservoir,  or  harbor  in  question,  and  electrically  connected  to  a  Graphic 
Recorder  having  a  special  Receiving  Attachment. 

If  desired,  the  Sender  may  operate  an  Indicating  Device,  instead  of  a  Recorder; 
or,  it  may  operate  any  number  of  Recorders  and  Indicators.  The  simplicity 
of  the  construction  of  these  units  makes  them  very  easy  to  install  and  insures 
satisfactory  operation. 

The  Sender 

The  No.  638  Sender,  located  at  the  point  where  the  water  level  is  to  be 
measured,  is  operated  by  a  float,  20"  in  diameter,  and  a  counterweight.  The 
float  should  be  surrounded  by  a  stilling  box  to  protect  it  from  either  waves  or 
surges.  The  Sender  is  equipped  with  two  electrical  contacts,  one  of  which 


No.  638  Float  Operated  Sender,  for  Long  Distance  Graphic  Recorder 

closes  for  a  fraction  of  a  second  every  time  the  water  rises  1  /20  of  a  foot,  the 
other,  when  the  float  falls  1/20  of  a  foot.  These  contacts  are  so  designed  that 
it  is  impossible  for  them  to  stick  and  keep  the  circuit  closed,  thus  interfering 
with  the  further  operation  of  the  instrument.  They  were  developed  in  the 
Gurley  Factory,  and  have  been  subjected  to  tens  of  thousands  of  tests  with  heavy 
load  and  up  to  300  volts  D.  C.  without  any  failure  or  even  a  sign  of  deterioration. 
As  stated  above,  one  Sender  will  operate  several  Recorders,  several  Indicators, 
or  a  combination  of  one  or  more  Recorders  and  Indicators, 

4 


HYDRAULIC  ENGINEERING  INSTRUMENTS 


The  Recorder 

The  No.  637  Recorder  consists  of  a  Gurley  No.  633  Graphic  Register  equipped 
with  magnets  to  operate  the  drum.  This  Recorder,  which  is  the  result  of  years 
of  experience  in  manufacturing  water  stage  registers,  is  equipped  with  a  high 
grade  chronometer,  strengthened  with  specially  designed  bearings.  This  clock 
revolves  two  screws  which  carry  a  pencil  carriage  along  the  top  of  a  horizontal 
drum  on  which  the  record  is  made;  it  is  adjusted  in  the  ordinary  manner  to 
record  standard  time. 


No.  637  Long  Distance  Graphic  "Water  Stage  Recorder 


Attention  is  called  to  the  fact  that,  in  using  curves  for  calculation  of 
quantity  of  water  discharged,  the  time  scale  is  just  as  important  as  the  elevation 
scale;  consequently  the  Gurley  clock  mechanism  is  designed  and  manufactured 
with  great  care. 

Instead  of  being  directly  connected  to  the  float,  as  in  the  No.  633  Register, 
the  drum  of  the  No.  637  Long  Distance  Recorder  is  revolved  by  two  sets  of 
magnets  operating  a  ratchet  wheel,  in  one  direction  when  the  water  is  rising, 
and  in  the  reverse  direction,  when  falling.  These  magnets  are  energized  when- 
ever the  circuit  is  closed  by  the  operation  of  the  No.  638  Sender.  The 
operating  arms  which  are  attached  to  the  magnet  armatures  turn  the  ratchet 
wheel  one  notch  each  time  either  magnet  is  energized.  These  arms  also  carry 
interlocking  stops  which  positively  prevent  the  wheel  from  turning  more  than 
one  notch,  until  the  magnet  is  released  and  ready  for  the  next  step.  The  rear 
end  of  the  drum  carries  a  dial  and  pointer,  so  that  the  water  stage  may  be  read 
directly  without  looking  at  the  chart. 


W.  &  L.  E.  GURLEY,  TROY,  NEW  YORK 


Construction  of  No.  637  Long  Distance  Recorder 

The  base  (  1  )  supports  the  mechanism  of  the  register.  An  extra  heavy  eight- 
day  clock  (2)  is  geared  to  two  time  screws  (3),  which  are  supported  at  each  end 
as  shown.  The  clock  has  two  large  driving  springs  and  has  jeweled  bearings  on 
the  escapement  shaft.  Mounted  on  two  screws  is  the  pencil  carriage  (4)  which 
moves  forward  without  lost  motion,  in  accord  with  the  turning  of  the  clock  shaft, 
and  which  can  be  lifted  up  from  one  position  on  the  screws  and  placed  in  another, 
if  desired.  The  pencil  (11)  is  held  in  the  pencil  holder  (5),  which  is  free  to 
move  vertically  in  a  cylinder  (6)  projecting  from  the  upper  side  of  the  base  of 


27 


No.  637  Long  Distance  Recorder 


the  carriage  (4).  The  pencil  holder  (5)  is  set  and  the  pencil  clamped  with  a 
screw  (25),  so  that  the  weight  of  the  pencil  and  holder  presses  down  against 
the  paper. 

The  record  cylinder  (8),  on  which  the  paper  is  placed,  is  supported  at  each 
end  as  shown. 

When  the  magnets  (29)  are  energized  by  the  Sender,  the  armatures  (27) 
are  moved  downward  and  they  revolve  the  ratchet  wheel  (28)  which  is  attached 
to  ratchet  wheel  shaft  (26)  and  revolves  in  eccentric  bushing  (24).  The 
gear  (20)  is  clamped  to  the  sprocket  wheel  shaft  by  the  nut  (15).  The  gear 
(21)  is  clamped  to  the  cylinder  (8)  by  three  small  screws.  The  bolt  (13)  is 
used  to  lock  the  cylinder,  while  changing  the  record  sheet.  Extending  across 
the  face  of  the  record  cylinder  (8)  is  a  slot  (12)  which  indicates  the  point  of 
zero  gage  height  on  the  record  cylinder.  There  is  a  gear  (19)  on  the  center 
clock  shaft.  The  capstan  head  screw  (18)  is  used  for  clamping  the  gear  (19)  to 
the  clock  shaft.  Three  nuts  (22)  serve  to  hold  the  cover  on  the  register. 
Clamp  screw  (23)  is  to  clamp  the  bushing  in  the  base  (1). 


HYDRAULIC  ENGINEERING  INSTRUMENTS 


The  Indicator 

Where  an  indication  of  some  distant  water  level  is  desired  and  a  record  is 
unnecessary,  the  need  is  met  by  the  No.  639  Long  Distance  Water  Stage 
Indicator,  operated  by  the  No.  638  Sender.  A  moving  pointer  indicating  on  a 
dial  1 2  inches  in  diameter,  is  operated  by  electro-magnets  and  a  ratchet  wheel, 
in  the  same  manner  as  the  Long  Distance  Recorder.  This  dial  shows  at  any 
instant  the  height  of  the  water  at  the  distant  gage  house. 


No.  639  Indicator,  front  and^rear  views 


One  or  more  of  these  Indicators  may  be  put  on  the  same  circuit  with  a 
Recorder.  In  many  instances,  it  is  desirable  to  have  an  Indicator  in  the  power 
plant  for  the  information  of  the  operator,  while  the  Recorder  is  placed  in  the 
office  of  the  chief  engineer,  where  the  records  are  kept  and  studied. 


W.  &  L.  E.  GURLEY,  TROY,  NEW  YORK 

SI 


The  Electrical  Circuit 

The  circuits  necessary  to  connect  the  Sender  and  Recorder  may  consist 
either  of  3  wires  or  2  wires  and  a  "ground"  return.  A  satisfactory  circuit 
may  sometimes  be  obtained  by  leasing  a  private  telephone  line  of  2  wires.  The 
minimum  current  required  to  operate  the  receiver  is  0.1  ampere  D.  C.,  or  0.3  to 
0.4  ampere  A.  C.,  provided  the  frequency  is  40  cycles  or  more.  The  current 
flows  through  the  line  for  only  a  fraction  of  a  second  when  the  contact  is  made. 


"Wiring  Diagram  showing  the  method  generally  used  in  Installing 
Gurley  Long  Distance  Recording  Outfits 


At  all  other  times  the  circuits  are  open.  The  resistance  of  the  coils  is  40  ohms. 
The  power  may  be  supplied  by  dry  cells  or  storage  batteries.  For  long  distances 
it  is  better  to  take  it  from  a  110  volt  power  or  storage  battery  line  where  the 
current  is  uninterrupted.  A  lamp  placed  in  the  circuit  will  cut  down  the 
current  to  the  proper  amount.  The  power  may  be  connected  into  the  circuit 
at  either  the  Sender  or  Recorder  end,  or  in  case  of  an  all  metallic  circuit,  at  any 
point  in  the  line.  When  direct  current  is  used,  private  telephones  may  be 
connected  on  the  same  line  by  the  proper  use  of  condensers. 


HYDRAULIC  ENGINEERING  INSTRUMENTS 


Condenser 


Call  be/ /s 


\ 


wa//  fe/ephone,  -5  £>as; 
/6OO  O/4/77  r/nger  mu/i/'/- 
p/e 


//O  yo/fs 


Wiring  Diagram  of  the  Installation  of  a  Gurley  Long  Distance  Recording  Outfit 
at  Topeka,  Kansas 


W.  &  L.  E.  GURLEY,  TROY,  NEW  YORK 


Gurley  Experimental  Gaging  Station 


Experimental  Gaging  Station  on  the  Poestenkill,  Troy,  N.  Y.,  used  by  W.  &  L.  E.  Gurley  in 
connection  with  the  development  of  water  stage  registers  and  other  types  of  hydraulic  equipment. 
The  wooden  shelter  covers  a  concrete  well  and  provides  ample  light  and  air  by  means  of  three 
windows,  a  door  and  two  ventilators.  The  Gurley  Long  Distance  Sender  is  shown  installed  in  this 
structure ;  this  Sender  is  connected  by  a  telephone  line  to  the  Long  Distance  Recorder  at  the  Gurley 
factory,  about  two  miles  distant. 

Engineers  visiting  Troy  will  be  taken  to  inspect  this  gaging  station,  upon  request. 


10 


Price  List 


Gurley  Hydraulic 
Engineering  Instruments 


Price  iis£  supersedes 
all  previous  editions. 
All  prices  are  subject  to 
change  without  notice. 

Revised  to 
January  15th,  1922 


W.  &  L.  E.  GURLEY,  Makers 

Established  1845 

TROY,  N.  Y.,  U.  S.  A. 


2 W.  &  L.   E.  GURLEY,  TROY,  N.  Y. 

Guarantee 

ALL  INSTRUMENTS  OF  OUR  OWN  MAKE  are  examined  and  tested  before 
being  shipped,  and  are  sent  to  the  purchaser  adjusted,  ready  for  immediate 
use.  When  purchased  directly  of  us,  they  are  warranted  correct  in  all 
their  parts  —  we  agreeing  in  the  event  of  any  original  defect  appearing 
after  reasonable  use,  to  repair  or  replace  with  new  and  perfect  instruments, 
promptly  at  our  own  cost,  express  charges  included ;  or  we  will  refund  the 
money  and  the  express  charges  paid  by  the  purchaser. 

It  sometimes  happens,  in  a  business  as  large  and  widely  extended  as 
ours,  that  instruments  reach  our  customers  in  bad  condition,  owing  to 
careless  transportation  or  to  defects  escaping  the  closest  scrutiny  of  our 
inspectors.  We  consider  the  retention  of  such  instruments  by  the  pur- 
chaser an  injury  very  much  greater  to  us  than  to  himself.  We  also 
consider  that  a  sale  is  not  completed  until  the  purchaser  is  satisfied  in 
every  detail. 

Ordering 

In  ordering,   ALWAYS  GIVE  THE  CATALOGUE  NUMBER. 

If  full  particulars  concerning  each  item  accompany  the  order,  delay 
will  often  be  avoided,  as  it  will  probably  be  unnecessary  for  us  to  write  you. 

If  no  shipping  directions  are  given,  we  will  always  ship  by  the  quick- 
est and  safest  method. 

WE  MAKE  NO  CHARGE  FOR  PACKING  BOXES  OR  PACKING,  and  our  instru- 
ments are  delivered  F.  O.  B.  Troy,  N.  Y.,  to  the  express  company  or 
freight  house. 

CHARGES  FOR  TRANSPORTATION  ARE  IN  ALL  CASES  TO  BE  PAID  BY  THE 
PURCHASER,  we  guaranteeing  the  safe  arrival  of  our  goods  at  the  destination 
indicated  at  the  time  of  shipment. 

Terms  of  Payment 

Terms  of  payment  are  uniformly  cash  and  we  have  but  one  price, 
whether  ordered  in  person  or  by  mail.  Our  prices  are  as  low  as  can  be 
made  for  instruments  of  first  quality. 

REMITTANCES  may  be  made  by  bank  draft.  Express  or  Post  Office 
money  order,  payable  to  our  order,  at  Troy,  N.  Y.  When  goods  are 
shipped  C.  O.  D.,  a  remittance  of  25%  of  the  total  amount  should  ac- 
company the  order. 

Foreign  Shipments 

Instruments  packed  for  foreign  shipment  which  are  to  have  ocean  pass- 
age are  wrapped  in  waterproof  material  and  enclosed  in  strong  packing 
boxes  which  are  strengthened  and  protected  by  special  band  wire. 

THE  CASH  FOR  ALL  ORDERS  FOR  FOREIGN  SHIPMENTS  BY  STEAMSHIP 
MUST,  IN  EVERY  CASE,  ACCOMPANY  THE  ORDER  ;  and  if  it  is  desired  that  we 
attend  to  the  shipment  of  the  instruments,  the  remittance  must  be  made 
ten  per  cent,  more  than  the  catalogue  price  of  the  instruments  if  the  order 
amounts  to  less  than  $300  or  eight  per  cent,  more  than  catalogue  price  if 
the  order  amounts  to  from  $300  to  $500 ;  or  six  per  cent,  more  than  cata- 
logue price  if  the  order  amounts  to  from  $500  to  $1,000. 

This  extra  remittance  is  to  cover  or  apply  on  the  cost  of  shipping 
charges,  freight  and  insurance,  which  must  always  be  paid  in  advance  on 
all  shipments. 

If  the  amount  remitted  is  more  than  enough  to  cover  these  expenses, 
the  balance  will  be  refunded  to  the  purchaser  with  the  receipted  bill  and 
bill  of  lading,  unless  we  are  directed  to  hold  it  to  his  credit. 

REMITTANCES  must  be  made  in  funds  current  in  New  York,  or  by 
bank  draft  on  New  York  City  or  London,  England.  Such  drafts  can  be 
purchased  in  any  of  the  large  cities  of  the  different  countries. 


PRICE    LIST 


Gurley  Current  Meters 

Acoustic  Current  Meter 

Price 

No.  Oil)  Acoustic  Current  Meter,  indicating  each  10th  revolution, 
equipped  with  rubber  tube,  ear  piece  and  connection ; 
also  two  lengths  of  flush-jointed  wading  rod,  graduated 
to  measure  4  ft.  from  plane  of  bucket  wheel.  Wooden 
case  with  lock  and  strap  and  including  accessories  of 
oil  can,  wrench,  screw  driver  and  pivot  bearing 
(See  page  21)  $66.00 

Accessories  for  No.  616 

Wading  Rod,  flush-jointed  and  graduated,  per  2  ft.  length 

Canvas  Case  for  two,  three  or  four  lengths  of  Rod 

Time  Recorder,  or  Stop  Watch.  No.  619,  open  face  nickle 
case,  stem  winder,  with  fly-back  attachment  for  start- 
ing and  stopping.  Registering  minutes,  seconds  and 
fifths  of  seconds 10.00 

Electric  Current  Meters 

No.  623  E'lectric  Current  Meter  with  two  interchangeable  commu- 
tator boxes,  one  indicating  each  revolution  and  the 
other  indicating  each  fifth  revolution  of_the  bucket 
wheel,  Covert  Yoke,  telephone  receiver,  dry  battery, 
20  ft.  of  cable,  10  Ib.  lead  weight  and  weight  hanger. 
All  packed  in  wooden  box  with  lock,  hooks  and  strap 
and  including  accessories  of  oil  can,  wrench,  screw 
driver,  extra  pivot  bearing,  binding  screws  and  nipple 
(see  page  22)  110.00 

No.  617  Electric  Current  Meter.  This  is  like  No.  623,  except  that 
it  has  only  one  commutator  box  indicating  each  revo- 
lution of  the  bucket  wheel  (see  page  22)  93.50 

No.  621  Electric  Current  Meter.  This  is  like  No.  623,  except  that 
it  has  only  one  commutator  box  indicating  each  fifth 
revolution  of  the  bucket  wheel  (see  page  22)  93.50 

Accessories  for  Current  Meters  Nos.  617,  621  and  623 

Extra   Cable,   per   foot .05 

Extra  Dry    Cell    Battery __  .35 

Extra  Lead  Weight,  10  lbs.__                                                                 ___  5.00 

Extra  Lead  Weight,  15  Ibs 6.25 

Time  Recorder,  or  Stop  Watch,  No.  619,  as  described  above  under 

Meter   No.    G1G__  10.00 


W.  &  L.  E.   GURLEY,  TROY,   N.   Y. 


Accessories  for  Current  Meters  Nos.  617,  621  and  623 
(Continued) 

\V:uling  Hods,  flush-jointed  and  graduated,  for  use  with  double-end 

Hanger,  per  2  ft.  length  _  $.°>.50 
Wading  Rods,  flush-jointed,  4  sections,  graduated  to  measure  8  feet 

from  plane  of  bucket  wheel,  @  $3.50  per  section 14.<io 

Double-end  Hanger,  for  use  with  flush-jointed  Rods 4.00 

Base,  for  use  with  Rod 2.7.~> 

Leather  Case  for  rods,  base  and  Imiiger—  ._ .  !.'*>.( MI 

Canvas  Case  for  rods,  base  and  hanger 4.50 

Electric  Register,  No.  G09,  as  described  on  page  25 25.00 

Special  Carrying  Case  of  fibre,  for  Current  Meters  Nos.  017.  021  or 

023,  (see  page  20)  __  —  21.00 
If  the  Special  Fibre  Case  is  furnished,  instead  of  the  regular 

wooden  box,  the  extra  cost  is 11.00 

Record  Sheets  for  Current  Meter  Notes 

Form  No.  H-325  Discharge  Measurement  General  Data  (see  page 

54),  per  100  sheets 2.00 

Form  No.  H-326  Current  Meter  Notes  fcr  open  Streams  (see  page 

55),  per  100  sheets 2.00 

Form  No.  H-327  Current  Meter  Notes  for  Ice-covered  Streams  (see 

page  GO),  per  100  sheets. _  2.00 

Suitable  Canvas-covered   Loose-leaf   Binder .7-"» 

Note :  In  practice,  about  one  sheet  of  Form  No.  H-325  is  used  to  every 
three  sheets  of  Forms  Nos.  H-320  and  H-327.  Any  quantity  will  be 
supplied  and  sample  sheets  will  be  submitted  upon  request.  When  ordering 
specify  by  form  numbers. 


River  Discharge" 


A  complete  and  detailed  description  of  both  the  use  of  the  Current 
Meter,  Hook  Gage  and  Water  Stage  Register,  and  the  collection  and  use  of 
data  in  regard  to  the  flow  of  streams. 

River  Discharge,  by  J.  C.  Hoyt  and  N.  C.  Grover,  Hydraulic  Engineers. 
United  States  Geological  Survey.  Cloth,  210  pages,  6  x  9,  39  figures,  11 
plates.  Fifth  Edition.  Price,  postpaid, $2.50 

Individual  Current  Meter  Rating  Tables 

For  Meters  No.  616,  617  or  621 —      10.00 

For  Meter   No.    623 20.00 

Allow  from  10  days  to  two  weeks  time.    See  page  36. 

Gurley  Hook  Gage 

No.  028  Hook  Gage  (see  page  73)  __  25.00 


PRICE     LIST 


Parts  for  Current  Meter  No.  616 


I 


When  ordering  parts,  always  specify  shop  numbers 


Sliop 

No.                        Name  of  Part  Price 

1  Yoke $13.25 

2  Connecting    Tube 3.85 

3  Commutator   Box    6.00 

10  Frame    Nut    1.40 

95  Wrench    .__  1.25 

115  Bucket  Wheel   .           .__  13.25 

238  Screw    Driver    .  .35 

239  Oil   Can   ___  .50 
243  Pivot  with  Lock  Nut  _  1.40 


Shop 

No.                       Name  of  Part  Price 

249  Bucket  Nut  and  Raising 

Nut    _—  $1.65 

252  Goose   Neck    6.50 

253  Gear,  Gear  Holder,  Grass- 
hopper,   etc.    6.50 

254  Commutator  Box  Cap  and 
Diaphragm    combined    __  2.75 

255  Shaft    — 2.T5 

Grasshopper   1.40 

Wooden   Box    .  9.30 


W.  &  L.  E.  GURLEY,  TROY,   N.  Y. 


Parts  for  Current  Meters  Nos.  617,  621  and  623 


PART  NUMBERS 

CURRENT  METER 

No*.617,621,6Z3  &  624 

W.&L.E.GURLEY,  TROY,  N.Y. 


When  ordering  parts,  always  specify  shop  numbers 


Shop 

No.                       Name  of  Part  Price 

10  Frame  Nut .$1.40 

75  Yoke 18.75 

85  Worm  and   Shaft 2.75 

86  Plain    Shaft   1.40 

87  Worm    __.  1.40 

88  Eccentric    .  .85 
95  Wrench    __.  1.25 

103  Weight  Hanger  _  2.75 

104  Weight  Hanger  Screw  __  .85 

115  Bucket  Wheel   13.25 

166  Weight  Pin  for  10  Ib.  and 

15  Ib.  Weights  .55 

184  Frame  Cap .85 

188  Binding  Post  Complete  _  1.40 
195  Vane  or  Tail  Piece 

complete    10.00 

238  Small   Screw  Driver   ___  .35 

239  Oil  Can   .50 

243  Pivot  with  Lock  Nut  -  1.40 


Shop 

No.                       Name  of  Part  Price 

246  Single    Revolution    Com- 
mutator Box  complete  —  $16.50 

247  Penta  or  Five  Revolution 
Commutator      Box      com 
plete    16.50 

248  Shaft       and       Eccentric 
complete    2.25 

249  Bucket  Nut  and  Raising 

Nut   1.65 

274  Connector    .50 

278  Balance  Weight 1.10 

78  Cap  for  Commutator  Box  .85 

109  Set  Screw,  6  x  32 .05 

Telephone  Receiver   ___  4.00 

Dry    Battery    .35 

Cable  with  Terminals  __  3.00 

Head  Band 2.00 

Carrying   Box    (wood)    .  30.00 


PRICE     LIST 


Gurley  Printing  Water  Stage  Register  No.  630 

No.  630     Printing   Water    Stage    Register,    range   3G.99    ft.    without 
repeating;  prints  at  15-ininute  intervals;  complete  with 
paper  ribbon  and  carbon  paper  for  one  year's  record ; 
metal    protecting    cover   with    lock,    float    and    counter- 
weight, 2  weights,  40  ft.  phosphor  bronze  tape,  wrench, 
2   screw   drivers,   bottle  of   watch    oil    and   oil    pump. 
Shipping  weight  2  boxes,  about  275  Ibs.   (see  page  87)  $385,00 
Register  No.  630  can  be  modified  to  print  at  30  minute, 
or   CO  minute   intervals,    if   specified,    without   extra 
charge. 

Paper  Ribbon  for  No.  G30  Register,  per  roll  _^__  2.00 

Carbon  Ribbon  for  No.  630  Register,  per  roll  _  ___  •     3.25 

Watch   Oil,   small   bottle   _.._  .75 

No.  632     Tape  Reel,  for  use  with  No.  630  Register    (see  page  91)      27.50 

Gurley  Graphic  Registers  Nos.  633  and  636 

No.  633  Graphic  Water  Stage  Register,  spring-driven  clock  :  range, 
0  to  10  feet;  time  scale,  7  days;  complete  with  metal 
cover,  10  record  sheets,  float,  counterweight,  20  ft.  of 
phosphor  bronze  tape,  and  bottle  of  clock  oil.  Shipping 

weight  about  75  Ibs.    (see  page  104)    145.00 

No.  636  Graphic  Water  Stage  Register,  weight-driven  clock ;  range, 
0  to  10  ft. ;  time  scale,  7  days ;  complete  with  nietal 
cover,  10  record  sheets,  float,  counterweight,  20  ft.  of 
phosphor  bronze  tape,  and  bottle  of  clock  oil.  Shipping 

weight  about  75  Ibs.   (see  page  107)   145.00 

Register  No.  633  or  Register  No.  636  can  be  modified  to  give 
either  a  4-day  record,  or  a  1-day  record,  without  extra 
charge,  (see  page  110). 

If  extra  time  screws,   pencil  carriages   and  gears   are  re- 
quired, there  will  be  an  additional  charge  as  follows : 
2  Time    Screws   and  Pencil   Carriage   for   4-Day   Register      13.75 
2   Time   Screws   and   Pencil   Carriage   for   1-Day   Register      17.00 

1  Set  of  Gears,  for  any  range 4.50 

Record  Sheets  for  No.  633  or  No.  636  Register,  each .05 

Clock  Oil,  small  bottle .75 

Gurley  Graphic  Registers  Nos.  634  and  634-A 

No.  634  Graphic  Water  Stage  Register,  range  0  to  1  foot,  natural 
scale ;  time  scale,  7  days ;  complete  with  metal  cover,  10 
record  sheets,  float,  counterweight,  and  10  ft.  of  phos- 
phor bronze  tape.  Shipping  weight  about  75  Ibs. 95.00 

Register  No.  634  can  be  modified  to  give  either  a  4-day 
record,  or  a  1-day  record,  without  extra  charge.  If 
an  extra  pencil  carriage  and  set  of  time  screws  are 
required,  there  will  be  an  additional  charge  as  follows : 

For  the  4-Day  Register  _  .__      13.75 

For  the  1-Day  Register  _                                                        .__      17.00 
No.  634-A  Graphic  Water  Stage  Register ;   range  0  to  2  feet ;  time 
scale,   7  days ;    complete  with   metal   cover,    10   record 
sheets,  float,  counterweight  and  about  10  ft.  of  phos- 
phor bronze  tape.     Shipping  weight  about  75  Ibs. 110.00 

The  sprocket  wheel  on  this  register  is  2  ft.  in  circumference, 
instead  of  1  foot  as  on  No.  634. 


8 


W.  &  L.  E.  GURLEY,  TROY,  N.  Y. 


Gurley  Graphic  Registers  Nos.  634  and  634-A 
(Continued) 

Register  No.  (5:54- A  can  be  mortified  to  give  either  a  4-day 
record,  or  a  1-day  record,  without  extra  charge.     If  an 
extra   pencil   carriage  and   set  of  time   screws    are   re- 
quired, there  will  be  an  additional  charge  as  follows  : 
For  the  4-Day  Register  _  _    $1:5.7:. 

For  the  1-Day  Register 17. w 

Record  Sheets  for  No.  634   Register,    each    .05 

Record  Sheets  for  No.  634-A    Register,    each    .  .<»r> 

Clock  Oil,  in  small  bottle .75 


Gurley  Indicating  Gage 

No.  639-A  Indicating  Gage,   complete  with   float  and  counterweight 

(see  page  130)    .  55.00 

Gurley  Long  Distance  Water  Stage  Register  Outfits 

The  cost  installing  the  Gurley  Long  Distance  Recorder  depends 
very  largely  on  local  conditions  and  our  Engineering  Department 
will  gladly  cooperate  in  suggesting  how  local  problems  may  best 
be  solved. 

The  prices  of  sending  and  Recording  apparatus  are  as  follows: 
No.  638-A  Long  Distance  Recording  Outfit,  consisting  of  a  No.  <;:;s 

Sender  and  a   No.   037  Register .    385.00 

No.  638-B  Long  Distance  Indicating  Outfit,  consisting  of  a  No.  638 

Sender  and  a  No.  639  Indicator  _  -    265.00 

No.  638-C  Long  Distance  Recording  and  Indicating  Outfit,  consist- 
ing of  a  No.  638  Sender,  a  No.  637  Register,  and  a  No. 
639  Indicator  _  -  540.00 

Separate  instruments  may  be  had  for  the  following  prices : 

No.  637      Register,    complete    with    glass    cover,    10    extra    record 

sheets,  bottle  of  clock  oil.    Shipping  weight  about  100  Ibs.    27r».(K» 
No.  638       Sender,     complete     with     metal     cover,     lock,     20     inch 
float,  counterweight,  20  ft.  phosphor  bronze  tape,  2  guide 
pulleys,  bottle  of  clock  oil.    Shipping  weight  about  75  Ibs.    110.00 


No.  639 


Indicator,  complete  with  glass  cover,  and  bottle  of  clock 

oil.     Shipping  weight  about  15  Ibs.   155.00 


Gurley  Private  Cable  Code 

Cable  Address:  "Gurley,  Troy.  N.  Y." 

Use  Western  Union,  Five-Letter  Edition ;  Bentley's ;  Lieber's ; 
or  A.  B.  C.-oth  Edition,  Codes 


Cat. 
No. 

609 
612 
614 
615 
616 
(117 
619 
621 
623 
628 


Description 


Code        Cat. 
Word       No. 


Electric    Register    Acrub 

Dry     Battery      Actib 

Insulated    Copper    Wire    Acush 

Telephone     Receiver     Acvan 

Current    Meter    Outfit     Acvod 

Current    Meter    Outfit     Acwid 

Time     Recorder      Adaf  t 

Current    Meter    Outfit     Adbel 

Current    Meter    Outfit     Adbot 

Hook    Gage     Abcek 

Printing   Water  Stage   Register.  .Anvel 
Tape     Reel     Anwat 


Description 


Code 
Word 


633  Graphic   Water   Stage    Register    .Abcet 

634  Graphic   Water   Stage   Register    .Abcev 
634-A  Graphic   Water   Stage   Register    .Abcic 

636  Graphic    Water   Stage    Register    .Abcif 

637  Long   Distance    Register    Abeik 

638  Long  Distance  Sender     A  belt 

639  Long    Distance     Indicator     Abein 

639-A  Indicating    Gage     Abeir 

638-A  Long   Distance    Recording   Outfit. Abeiv 
638-B  Long   Distance   Indicating   Outfit. Abeix 
638-C  Long      Distance      Recording      and 

Indicating     Outfit     Abeji 


W.  &  L.  E.  GURLE" 


Gurley  Experirm 


Engineering 
T-ibrarv 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CAUFORNIA  UBRARY 


Experimental  Gaging  Station  on  the 
connection  with  the  development  of  water  stai 
The  wooden  shelter  covers  a  concrete  well 
windows,  a  door  and  two  ventilators.     The  Gi 
structure ;  this  Sender  is  connected  by  a  telephj 
factory,  about  two  miles  distant. 

Engineers  visiting  Troy  will  be  taken  to 


MWWNMMHH 


